GUANGZHOU: Folashade Akodu, a middle aged African, came to the Canton Fair all the way from Nigeria. She is here with her three sisters, and they are scouting for washing machines at the expo.

"The financial crisis has not had any impact on my business and we are doing well in Africa," she said.

Akodu has been in the home appliance business for over 15 years. She used to import appliances from Saudi Arabia, but this time decided to come here as "everybody was talking about China". She plans to spend $15,000 at the fair and bring home six containers.