HONG KONG, October 24, 2006 – 34,505 buyers from 130 countries and territories attended the China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Home Products – an increase of 12 percent from the April 2006 Fair. With more than 4,000 booths, the show was Global Sources' (NASDAQ: GSOL) largest ever, and was held at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo Oct. 19 through 22.

Global Sources Chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: "Our exhibitors are very pleased with the quality of buyers they met at the Fair. The many globally-recognized retailers, wholesalers and OEMs who participated are exactly the kind of buyers who will bring long-term value to our exhibitors."

Among buyers who attended were representatives from Sears, OfficeMax, QVC, Staples, Auchan, Coles Myer Asia, Carrefour, El Corte Ingles, ThreeSixty Sourcing, Tesco, Samsung Corporation, Procter & Gamble, Dunlop, L'Oréal, Li & Fung, Giordano, Cathay Pacific, B&Q International, Nestlé, Amway, Wing On Department Stores, Swarovski, City Super Ltd., Sanrio and Next Retail Ltd.

Members from Agentrics, an organization serving 250 members with over US$1.3 trillion in annual revenues, again participated in the Fair.

Agentrics represents 17 of the world's top 25 retailers. Among them are Carrefour, the second-largest retailer in the world; Sears, the third-largest general retailer in the United States; and Metro, Germany's largest retailer.

Brookstone Asia Division Managing Director, Howard Chen, said: "The China Sourcing Fair is a very important part of our sourcing operations. It's almost like putting the last piece of the puzzle into our sourcing program."

OfficeMax Asia International Market Manager, Jackie L. C. Wei, said: "We met many suppliers here at the Fair for the first time. New, quality suppliers offer us new products and new sourcing options – and that's vital in our business."

One exhibitor, Xiamen David Enterprises General Manager, Yan Weihua, said: "The China Sourcing Fairs again delivered the kind of quality buyers we want to work with. We’ve already booked 24 booths at both April and October shows next year!"

New China Suppliers, Innovative Products Exhibited in Hong Kong

Many of Asia's well-known suppliers exhibited, plus manufacturers from mainland China's emerging sourcing centers including Guangxi, Shaanxi, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Liaoning and Shandong.

Suppliers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, France and the United States also exhibited.

Sears Divisional Vice President, Randy Evans, said: "We're always looking for what's next. The New Product Gallery helps us get a sense of new designs from across Asia. The show really gives us a great opportunity to see a lot of products and meet with a lot of potential suppliers in a very efficient and cost effective manner"

One exhibitor, Sunrise Group General Manager, Fang Yong, said: "The China Sourcing Fairs are different from trade shows in mainland China. They provide a platform for manufacturers looking to build their own brands. For instance, the Brand Pavilion helps exhibitors launch own-brand products to quality international buyers.

"We've already booked a total of 84 booths for both the April and October China Sourcing Fairs in the next two years, and for the Dubai show."

Hong Kong Gifts & Home Products Show in April, New Dubai Show in June

Global Sources will host the China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Home Products at AsiaWorld-Expo April 20-23, 2007.

The new Dubai China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Home Products will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, June 11-13, 2007.

Hinrichs said: "For the past five years, mainland China has been Dubai's number one trade partner. Dubai is the gateway for trade with the Middle East and Africa, and the world's third-largest re-export market after Hong Kong and Singapore.

"Dubai's central location and world-class facilities are ideal to bring Greater China suppliers and products to this fast-growth region."

Pre-Registration Opens for Hong Kong, Dubai Fairs

Buyers planning to visit the 2007 Hong Kong and Dubai Gifts & Home Products Fairs may pre-register at http://www.chinasourcingfair.com .

The China Sourcing Fairs are an important part of Global Sources' sourcing and product information services, which include Global Sources trade magazines, Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com ) and Global Sources Direct (http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com ). Further information about Global Sources is available at http://www.corporate.globalsources.com .