Global Sources Expands Virtual Buyer Meetings

Global Sources has expanded its Virtual Buyer Meeting program to help buyers and suppliers save time and reduce sourcing costs in this year’s challenging economic environment. This year, 30 events are scheduled to connect buyers and suppliers in Asia and around the world.

Global Sources’ chairman and CEO, Merle A Hinrichs, said, “Global Sources was the first in the industry to launch Virtual Buyer Meetings in 2005 using a high-definition webcam to connect buyers and suppliers. To help our buyers and suppliers further reduce costs during these difficult economic times, we have increased the number of Virtual Buyer Meetings at our China Sourcing Fairs – and through our e-sourcing service and Private Sourcing Events.”

“Like all our channels – online, face-to-face and print – suppliers are pre-screened before meeting our buyers. In addition to cost savings for both parties, this improves the prospect of successful business deals getting done.”

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Virtual Buyer Meetings enable buyers to connect remotely to suppliers at over 60 Global Sources’ sales representatives’ offices around the world – this allows buyers to meet qualified suppliers while, at the same time, saving substantial travel costs for the buyer. This service is especially valuable for emerging markets buyers – such as buyers from India, Brazil, and Russia – which often don’t have a China-based sourcing office.

One buyer and e-sourcing participant, Orient Craft, a garment manufacturer from India, participated in Virtual Buyer Meetings on August 28 and 31, by connecting from their office in New Delhi to 11 suppliers in Taipei and Shenzhen. Orient Craft is seeking suppliers of garment and textile products such as laces, zippers, labels, and beads.

Suresh Sood, assistant general manager of Orient Craft, said, “Global Sources’ e-sourcing program has enabled us to pre-qualify suppliers through the convenience of the Internet. Today, through Virtual Buyer Meetings, we can easily meet these suppliers to see their products and to better understand how they can meet our sourcing needs.”

“Virtual Buyer Meetings also give us the opportunity to interview multiple suppliers in a single day without ever leaving our office. This reduces our total sourcing cost. Further, and more importantly, it helps us find better products as we are able to interview more suppliers in less time than we could through other conventional methods.”

One supplier, manager of Xinlida Garment Accessory Fty, Liu Ling, said, “It is sometimes difficult to quickly gain trust with international buyers. Through Global Sources’ buyer pre-qualification and Virtual Buyer Meetings, we can get on to business right away with quality, volume buyers. It is well worth our time to participate.”

Global Sources’ Virtual Buyer Meetings are a complimentary service for qualified buyers and Global Sources’ Verified Suppliers. Buyers and suppliers interested in participating can apply at csm@globalsources.com