Global buyers visit the Global Digital Trade Center in Yiwu. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]
Nirose Parambathkandy Mohammed Asharaf, general manager of the Yiwu Office of the LuLu Group International, led over 20 foreign buyers from the Canton Fair to the Global Digital Trade Center in Yiwu, a county-level city in Jinhua, for its inaugural Foreign Buyer Open Day on May 7.
"This new hub sparks great interest. Moving our operations here could unlock greater convenience and opportunities," said Nirose.
Scheduled for its grand opening in October, the center, known as Yiwu's sixth-generation market, is getting people excited. Starting in May, it will begin attracting investments for its market and commercial zones.
The Open Day gathered more than 50 buyers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from over 20 countries and regions to explore collaborations at this advanced complex, which integrates new business formats, consumer trends, technologies, and cultural vitality.
Nirose, who has been a key link between LuLu Group and the Chinese market since relocating to Yiwu in 2004, said, "Over 30 percent of goods in LuLu's 300 global supermarkets originate from Yiwu. We currently ship over 200 containers monthly from Yiwu."
"The Yiwu market is becoming increasingly professional and can meet various demands of customers," he added.
The center's market zone will soon open applications for its 3,800 shops across specialized industries. The first floor of its commercial zone has attracted many brands intending to set up operations in the 88 flagship stores. The 107 global culinary outlets on the second and third floors will also recruit businesses from across the country.
After starting operations, the center will host events like Brand Days to optimize supply-demand matching.
"We envision this center as the first stop for international buyers to seek new products," said Zhu Xingping, deputy general manager of the center.
