Guangdong firms eye 'world' stage for soccer tourney

Major companies in Guangdong province providing official 2022 FIFA World Cup merchandise are working around the clock to meet marketing demand for goods related to the tournament, which kicks off in Qatar next month.

In addition to 2022 FIFA World Cup Trophy replicas, many Guangdong companies are now sparing no efforts in producing large LED (light emitting diode) screens, LED TV studios, smart transportation equipment and related products for World Cup-related demand, authorities said.

"The number of companies having official authorization to produce goods for the upcoming World Cup demonstrates the international competitiveness of the sports manufacturing enterprises from Guangdong province, one of the major production bases in the world," they said.

Workers from Dongguan Wagon Giftware Co Ltd have been working overtime these days, said Huang Yumin, manager of international business at the company. In addition to trophy replicas, Huang's company produces World Cup souvenirs, including decorations of the emblem and a series of keychains.

To ensure product quality, Huang said the company has arranged many supervisors for quality control management to ensure that only quality products are manufactured by the company.

She added that Dongguan Wagon Giftware has obtained qualification for global distribution, manufacturing and authorization of official commodities related to the FIFA World Cup for 28 consecutive years.

Xie Xiangheng, general manager of Foshan Greenworld Nursery Co Ltd, said his company — which has obtained supplier qualification for World Cup greening projects — has begun shipping batches of seedlings and trees to Qatar after passing inspection and quarantine from local Customs.

The company won orders to export more than 50,000 seedlings to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup greening projects in the Middle East nation last year.

"Our seedlings are not only used to green the stadiums, but also for road greening in Qatar," Xie said.

The seedlings and trees shipped to Qatar mainly include seven to eight varieties that not only have strong vitality and high temperature and drought resistance, but also sport large crowns and beautiful flowers, he added.

Now Qatar is actively building a "low carbon World Cup", and the seedlings and trees from Foshan will be able to play a role to help green the stadiums of the World Cup, contributing to a green and low-carbon event to be held in Qatar, Xie said.

Shenzhen Aoto Electronics Co Ltd, a Shenzhen-listed company, has recently completed construction of new LED TV studios for Qatar TV.

When the facilities are put to use after the World Cup commences, audiences from around the world will be able to watch and enjoy the top international football competitions through Aoto Electronics' studio and equipment.

Chainzone Technology (Foshan) Co Ltd has successfully provided expressway traffic guidance systems for four key municipal transportation projects in Qatar.

The company has now provided more than 70 sets of variable information boards, which help enable the construction of Qatar's intelligent transportation system.

Tang Xuting contributed to this story.