During the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, Huaihua Helishi New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. signed a cooperation project contract with Afro-Asia International Investment Co., Ltd. for photovoltaic and energy storage products in Nigeria. Since the beginning of this year, Helishi has shown strong momentum in expanding into the African market. According to the company’s executive, in the first three quarters of this year, exports to African countries exceeded RMB11 million, an increase of approximately 4.4 times. Specifically, exports to Nigeria reached about RMB7 million, and the figure is expected to exceed RMB50 million this year.
At the same time, as the world faces challenges such as the global economic downturn and consumer segmentation, the high-quality and inexpensive Chinese products are gaining popularity in Africa and even around the globe. In addition to the “new trio” represented by lithium-ion batteries, clothes, bags and suitcases, and other products produced in Huaihua are also very popular in emerging markets such as Africa.
In particular, Huaihua organized 14 manufacturing enterprises in new energy, agriculture, bags & suitcases and other sectors to participate in the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which has been a rewarding experience for them. During the expo, the samples of Mayang Senjia Luggage Co., Ltd. attracted the attention of AE Electric Appliances, a company based in Zimbabwe, and a procurement intention was reached.
From January to August this year, Senjia Luggage exported bags and suitcases worth RMB70 million, a year-on-year increase of 60%. Specifically, exports to Africa, the US and ASEAN reached over RMB40 million, over RMB20 million, and over RMB8 million, respectively. Since June, 30 containers loaded with 600,000 bags and suitcases worth RMB40 million have been shipped to Africa.
“The African market is full of opportunities. The key point is that companies need to take the initiative to go global and showcase their good products. We are accelerating the development of a new batch of more durable bags and suitcases with a larger capacity based on the preference of African consumers. We plan to go on field trips to several East and West African countries next year. In addition to securing orders, we aim to develop channels and establish our brand,” said Man Linhua, Chairman of Senjia Luggage.
According to customs statistics, in the first three quarters of this year, Huaihua’s exports to Africa reached RMB1.48 billion, a year-on-year increase of 47.8%. Specifically, exports of bags and suitcases reached RMB75,647,000, a year-on-year increase of 195.6%.
Huaihua International Land Port, as an important part of the pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa trade and economic cooperation, is becoming a significant driving force for Huaihua’s trade with Africa. In the first three quarters of this year, the land port handled a total of 368 sea-rail intermodal transport train trips, representing a year-on-year increase of 21%. With the regular operation of Huaihua-Beibu Gulf Port sea-rail intermodal trains, more and more Huaihua products will enter the African market. Huaihua enterprises will also gradually shift from simple merchandise trade to production capacity cooperation and technological exchanges in greater depth.
(Translated by Professor Yu Jie)