Our SME China Yiwu Story – A business matchmaking program to help SMEs enter the China markets, showcasing Australian Opals and Wines.

A Chinese delegation led by My Wu Sen Min, Vice Mayor of YiWu, met with Dr Caroline Hong, a businesswoman and consultant CEO of the SME Association of Australia.

This private business program was supported by Think Global with David Thomas and the SME Association of Australia.

Costellos Opals of Australia and Zeeman Wines were the active SME participants, showcasing their products at this event.

Dr Caroline Hong was “Opalised’ by Costellos for the event, as  a great way to showcase Australian opals. We are grateful to Business Events TV who filmed our story, to Fun Boat who hosted the Vivid Sydney Harbour cruise. Zeeman Wines donated a variety of six different brands of select Australian wines for lunch and dinner.

Thanks to all the people who helped on the day with cultural awareness and translation, engaging our visitors, ensuring that they leave with a positive experience of Sydney.

For more information and registration for future programs, contact carolinehong@carolinehong.com.au

Dr Caroline Hong explored Yiwu in April 2013, accompanied by Tony Zhang from the NSW Trade and Investment Office in China.

Following a successful  self funded mission by Dr Caroline Hong to explore opportunities for Australian SMEs, it was pleasing that the government of the Yiwu  has decided to send  a delegation to visit Australia. The Vice Mayor of Yiwu, Mr Wu SenMin and his senior directors, all spent a whole day with Dr Hong  collaborating with Think Global, to discuss SME opportunities, enjoy site visits to various SME stores, and experience Australian shopping.

The Yiwu delegation and guests also enjoyed our Australian hospitality at various social programs, including lunch, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Sydney shopping, Vivid Sydney  music and light shows, and Sydney fireworks at Darling Harbour, whilst enjoying a banquet dinner with Australian wines.

Some facts about Yiwu, and why Australian SMEs will benefit from  entering the China markets via Yiwu.

– Yiwu is located in the middle of Zhejiang Province, about 200km south of Shanghai

– Yiwu is well known as a Sea of Commodities, a Paradise for Shopping Tourism

– The past 3 decades witnessed YiWu’s remarkable transformation from a poor and backward county to an international famous trade city, and now it s at its height of expansion.

–  Buy and sell everything across the  globe

– If one visits each booth or shop in the Yiwu markets, it would take one and a half years to finish the trip

–  In Yiwu, everything one can think of can be bought here

– 1.7 million kinds of  goods are sold here

– The annual turnover ranks first among all specialised markets in China for 22 years.

– In Yiwu, every year, 650,000 containers of products are exported to 219 countries and regions all around the world.

– 18 renowned shipping groups have set up branches and  offices in Yiwu.

–  Over 400,000 foreigners visit Yiwu every year, and 13,000 overseas business people from 100 countries and regions live here.

–  The Yiwu Fair achieved a trade volume of 16.3 billion yuan,attracting 190,000 overseas business people from 206 countries and regions.

–  Yiwu is endeavouring to go global through exhibitions. There are more than 140 exhibitions each year.

So, if Australian SMEs set up businesses in Yiwu, your goods will be sourced by Chinese from all over China and also from business people from more than 200 countries.

Being a fifth tier city (actually it is a county rather than a city), it is lower cost to do business in Yiwu than in the first or second tier cities.

The Imported Commodities Mall is of great significance for SMEs to enter the China markets and to reach out to global markets.