Chinese suppliers turn from emerging EU markets

Suppliers in China are boosting overseas shipments to emerging markets amid slowing orders from the European Union (EU) as the region tackles its debt crisis, market experts have reported.

According to a survey of 581 exporters by Global Sources, in the months ahead, 42 per cent of respondents expect to strengthen their footholds in South and Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Suppliers were found to be "particularly optimistic" about markets in Asia, mainly because of China's free trade agreement with many countries in the region. Close to 20% of interviewed companies plan to increase their presence in the China domestic market, as consumption has been on the rise, due in part to favorable government policies.

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