The Chinese Embassy in Fiji hosted its first-ever trade exhibition recently, with the aim of encouraging more Chinese investors to look at business opportunities in Fiji, establish factories, establish channels of business with locals, and strengthen trade and economic cooperation.
Chinese Ambassador Zhou Jian welcomed entrepreneurs, government representatives and members of the Chinese community to the event.
He said that his country was ready to import more products from Fiji.
“It is the largest market in the world. We are ready to import more high-quality products from Fiji. Not only Fiji water, not only noni juice, but also many, many other products from Fiji,” said Ambassador Zhou.
Thirty exhibitors from various industries showcased their businesses and products including the China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center, which is based at Legalega Research Station in Nadi.
Representative Lin Xingsheng described their work with ginseng crops: “We teach locals to plant ginseng grass, and they use grass to produce the mushrooms, and they use grass to produce feed for animals, such as to feed the cattle, milk cows, goats, horses and pigs and so on. We also use ginseng grass to control the water and the soil erosion. The people also use this project to produce the fertilizer”.
Lin says more than 3000 households have participated in this project, which he says can play a pivotal role in poverty alleviation, job creation and for sustainable development and to address climate change and protect the environment.
“Our purpose is to develop ginseng industry to benefit Fiji people,” he said. A representative from another exhibitor from Gangzhou Huaye Metal Products LTD said while it had been operating for 30 years, this was their first time in Fiji.
“We would like to be Fiji’s local distributor and [for] companies to develop their construction and transportation of energy sources.
“We would also like to help China and Fiji’s relations get better and better”, he says.
Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives and SMEs and Communications Shaheen Ali said such trade events provide a platform for businesses from both countries to learn, engage and collaborate.
“There is increasing interest from Chinese travellers seeking unique experiences, sustainable experiences and we offer the opportunity to create these experiences”, Ali said.
He believes there is a growing demand for Fijian products, including our organic products and beverages, and there is great awareness being created about this. Ali said there are excellent opportunities for Fiji and Chinese businesses to collaborate.
“By embracing innovation, sustainability, mutual respect, we can inspire the world with what we can achieve together bilaterally,” he said.