Reliable exporters: find them and meet them

HONG KONG, Feb. 28, 2011 – The largest-ever Global Sources Private Sourcing Event (http://www.PrivateSourcingEvents.com) was held in January in Shanghai. Representatives from 15 international buying companies representing US$328 billion in annual salesmet 48 pre-screened Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL) (http://www.globalsources.com) suppliers to source quality garment and apparel products from China.

Global Sources' Chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: "Export value of China textiles and garments reached a record US$207 billion in 2010 – up nearly 24 percent year on year.

"While competition from developing countries has intensified, more top buyers are looking to China for high-quality apparel at a reasonable price. And this has led to increased participation in the Global Sources Private Sourcing Events. In fact, this was the largest event since this service was first offered seven years ago, with nearly half of buyers in attendance participating for the first time."

Top garment and apparel buyers who participated in the event included:

• Cencosud – a top retailer in Latin America operating department stores and supermarkets
• E.Leclerc – a leading French hypermarket chain
• Falabella – a Latin American retailer with stores in Chile, Peru, Argentina and Columbia
• JCPenney – one of America's leading retailers with 1,100 department stores
• Zara – one of the world's largest fashion companies

Other buyers joining the events included Auchan, Forever 21,Groupe Zannier, Hermes-Otto International, Kmart Australia, Linmark, Metro, Okaidi, Oxylane and Redcats.

Participating buyer, General Manager of Falabella, Juan Pablo Vigneaux, said: "Private Sourcing Events give us an efficient channel to find new suppliers in the fast-moving apparel industry.And since suppliers are pre-screened, we save a lot of time by only meeting suppliers whom we know can meet our high standards."

One supplier who participated in the event, Sales Manager of Zhejiang Orient Knitex Imports/Exports Co., Jiang Yanfei, said: "In 2011, our goal is to continue to move up the value chain. This can only be done by focusing our efforts on high-end buyers. Private Sourcing Events give us the chance to demonstrate what makes us unique in a face-to-face environment. It's an ideal platform to gain the trust of top buyers."

World's top buyers scheduled to attend upcoming Private Sourcing Events

Over 100 Private Sourcing Events are planned for 2011, with some of the biggest buyers in developed and emerging markets, including Carrefour, Canadian Tire, RadioShack, Kingfisher, OfficeMax, Shop Direct, Intelbras and Coppel, scheduled to participate. All Private Sourcing Events are complimentary for buyers and only Global Sources suppliers are eligible to participate. More information about Private Sourcing Events is available at http://www.PrivateSourcingEvents.com.

Suppliers wishing to participate should contact csm@globalsources.com.

Specialized Global Sources websites, face-to-face events and trade magazines

Private Sourcing Events are part of Global Sources' portfolio of sourcing and product information service brands. These include Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com), China Sourcing Fairs (http://www.chinasourcingfair.com) and Global Sources monthly magazines (http://www.globalsources.com/SITE/MAGAZINES.HTM).

For more information about Global Sources' products and services to connect quality buyers and quality suppliers, visit http://www.corporate.globalsources.com.