KUWAIT CITY -- Officials from China on Monday held a conference in Kuwait to promote the 110th session of the Canton trade fair, or the China import and export fair, slated for October in China's Guangdong province.

Liu Jianjun, deputy director of China Foreign Trade Center, said the just concluded 109th version of the trade fair saw more than 200,000 customers from 209 countries and regions, a 3.89- percent increase over the previous version.

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However, that amount was 10 percent below previous estimates, after the turmoil in the Middle East and North African region forced some potential buyers to cancel their trips, Liu said, adding that was "temporary."

The total trade volume reached 36.86 billion U.S. dollars during the 20-day event, which boasts as China's top trade fair, Liu said, briefing the conference in Kuwait's Chamber of Commerce and Industry.    

The Canton fair, a biannual event born in 1957, was hosted by China's Commerce Ministry and the Guangdong provincial government.

A total of 109 fairs were held in the past years and around 150, 000 types of commodities from China and other countries are showcased in each session.

Liu said the 110th session would be held on October 15-November 5, with an estimated amount of 58,600 standard stands to be accommodated.  

Statistics from the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait said around 600 to 700 Kuwaitis visited the Canton Fair in every session. Furniture and decoration materials are the most attractive for these buyers.