GD GDP up 12.5%
In the first quarter of this year, Guangdong's GDP increased by 12.5%, up 6.7% compared to the same period of 2009 and 0.6% higher than the national average. Experts believe this is a good sign the economy is recovering but note that the increase rate is still lower than before the crisis.

Real Estate policy takes effect
The real estate market has started to react after the government took more steps to curb inflating prices. Agencies in Guangzhou said that some speculators have started to reduce prices in order to sell houses as soon as possible. Last Thursday, the government raised the required down payment for second-home purchases from 40 percent to 50 percent. First time buyers of apartments larger than 90 square meters are required to put down a minimum 30 percent of the property's full price.

First phase of 107th Canton Fair Concludes
Yesterday (19th), the first phase of the 107th Canton Fair, which was displaying electronic appliances, chemical products, machinery and so on, came to an end. For this phase, exhibitors from the Guangdong pavilion saw business increase by 20% compared to last year. The second phase of the fair will begin this Friday and 6,884 exhibitors will be presenting consumer goods, gifts and home decorations. Hopefully the cloud of volcanic ashes currently grounding European planes will dissipate in time.