On January 24, the First Jiangcheng Mengkang Port Border Specialty Trade Market lasting for three days was opened. From then on, the frontier trade at Mengkang Port would become normalized. On the 4th, 14th and 24th days of every month, travelling traders from both China and Laos will do trade in the market at the port, and this will lay a solid foundation for bilateral economic and trade development as well as further cooperation and opening.

Laos' commodities are very popular

On the early morning of January 24, many Chinese customers attracted by the market's fame surrounded the market. When the cars of Laos' merchants arrived, they went forward to inquire in haste, and they were very curious about the surprise Laos' merchants would bring them. In this transaction activity, the commodities provided by Laos' merchants mainly gave priority to agricultural products such as vegetables and rice, etc., as well as the articles of daily use such as beer, perfumed soap, drinks, etc. These products seemed to be common, but were very popular among Chinese customers.

“Laos' vegetables are very ecological since they grow up without pesticide and fertilizer”, Mr. Li coming to the market said. It was learnt that, most customers considered that Laos' vegetables were green and ecological foods, and so they brought some back home. Some Chinese merchants found the business opportunity, and planned to purchase plentiful vegetables and rice, etc. from Laos' merchants, and then retail them at other places, making profit from “ecology” of Laos' foods.

Some customers were attracted by the peculiar external packing of Laos' commodities and dense characters on the external packing. In addition, Laos' beer, drinks, pickled bamboo shoot, rattan ware and artworks, etc. were much popular among Chinese customers for their exotic flavor and style.

Town opening makes a good start

According to initial statistics, during the period when Mengkang Specialty Agricultural Products Trade Market was opened on January 24-26, total 316 merchants participated in operation, and more than 16,000 persons went to the market. Only on the 24th day, the trading volume reached up to RMB1.28 million. On the road to Mengkang Port, the cars of Chinese traveling merchants going to the market lined up, forming an up to 2km queue.

Many customers went to the market for Laos' commodities, so naturally, Laos' merchants made a good profit. The reporter saw that, a Laos' woman peddler earned more than RMB100 from selling commodities over half an hour thanks to that she could speak some simple Chinese.