Updates

Connecting small businesses from developing countries to China

13 January 2025
ITC News

The International Trade Centre supported small businesses in establishing export contracts worth over $17 million at the China International Import Expo and the China International Supply Chain Expo in late 2024.

Small businesses shine at CIIE 2024

With the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), 50 small businesses from 26 developing countries made their mark at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai in early November 2024.

As an official partner of CIIE for seven consecutive years, ITC played a pivotal role in helping these small businesses unlock global opportunities. Its support included securing prime exhibition space, arranging booth setups and tailored training to prepare participants for the event. A bilingual catalogue spotlighting the businesses’ products and services, along with on-site interpretation and advisory support, ensured participants were equipped to connect with the buyers effectively.

The ITC booths attracted over 4,560 trade visitors during the six-day event, showcasing a vibrant selection of food, African goods, consumer products, and services. Businesses engaged in 290 in-depth discussions with buyers, leading to $5 million worth of deals sealed during the expo.

Featured products ranged from sesame seeds and green mung beans from Bolivia to vegan shampoo bars from Ghana, Ethiopian coffee, Kenyan tea, and shea butter from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Buyers also expressed keen interest in IT services from Bangladesh and Uganda, as well as instant pho noodles from Vietnam.

Sardor Abaskhanov of Global Export Company LLC, Uzbekistan, secured a $3 million deal for mung beans. Similarly, Bolivia’s Agroexportaciones del Sur S.R.L. clinched two contracts for sesame beans.

For returning participant Mody Tidiane Fall from Senegal, the expo marked another milestone. Having attended CIIE in 2021, 2023, and 2024, he sold $20,000 worth of shea butter this year. The company is now registered in China thanks to ITC’s support.

Strengthening global supply chains at CISCE

ITC also empowered small businesses from developing countries at the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) held in Beijing in late November 2024.

Small businesses play a critical role in driving economic growth but often face hurdles such as limited access to funding and international markets. CISCE provides an invaluable platform for fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and promoting global integration.

At this year’s expo, ITC highlighted three China-Africa collaborations that exemplify the potential of cross-regional trade:

  • Chebango EPZ Tea Factory Company (Kenya): A Chinese-invested tea enterprise, Chebango showcased premium tea products and engaged with distributors, expanding its global footprint.
  • Afritech Greencrops (Tanzania): The cashew producer signed a landmark agreement with Sinomach Hainan Development Co., advancing African export to more than $12 million.
  • SINO Malagasy Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. (Madagascar): The company shared its achievements in sustainable livestock production, emphasizing the benefits of African agricultural industrialization development.

Distinguished visitors, including H.E. Li Jianzhong, Vice Governor of Hunan Province, Ren Hongbin, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Andrianasolo Adrien Commercial Counsellor from the Malagasy Embassy, toured the ITC booth, recognizing its pivotal role in fostering global trade connections.

By connecting businesses across continents and championing innovative partnerships, ITC is paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient global supply chain.

These achievements were made possible through several ITC initiatives, including the Trade Promotion between China and Other Developing Countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, the Trade in Services project, SheTrades (Rwanda and Bangladesh), and the Timor-Leste: Support to Regional Integration and Trade project.