Domestic brands seize opportunity of Hainan expo to broaden markets

HAIKOU, April 14 (Xinhua) -- In the Guizhou pavilion at the ongoing third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), a bamboo guitar from Zheng'an County, known as "the guitar capital of China," has drawn widespread attention.

"The uniqueness of this all-bamboo guitar is that the raw materials are all from China -- a big boost for the development of Chinese guitar brands as the sourcing of our raw materials has long relied on imports," Zhou Guomin, sales manager of Guizhou Zhenan Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Natasha), told Xinhua.

"Bamboo is traditionally used to make small musical instruments such as flutes. However, through continuous research, we found that bamboo can also be used to make guitars after carbonization, and is more environmentally friendly," she said.

Since it was established in 2016, Natasha has been taking pains to innovate and actively explore overseas markets. The company's annual sales have surpassed 20 million yuan (about 2.9 million U.S. dollars), and its guitars are exported to more than 40 countries and regions.

As this is the first time Natasha has participated in the CICPE in south China's island province of Hainan, the company hopes to leverage the expo to increase its brand awareness.

As a global exhibition and trading platform for consumer products, the CICPE is expected to elevate consumption potential considerably, which will help overseas brands tap into the huge Chinese market and provide more exposure for domestic products.

This year's expo has a 20,000-square-meter domestic exhibition area, showcasing high-quality, China-made products from across the country.

Huang Siming, who works at a wine industrial park in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, said the CICPE is an important platform to display local speciality products.

"Hainan is China's largest special economic zone and an important gateway. We hope that the wines produced in Ningxia can benefit from the expo to reach more overseas destinations," Huang said.

Meng Zeqiang, chairman and general manager of Henan Xinxing Arts &Crafts Import &Export Co., Ltd., was full of pride when he spoke to reporters about the silk carpets made in central China's Henan Province.

"Our handmade silk carpets are colorfast, moldproof, lint-free and don't deform after washing. Our products are mainly sold to overseas markets, including the United States, Europe, the Middle East and some Asian regions, with an annual sales revenue of about 7 million U.S. dollars. Even during the pandemic, our exports were quite stable," he said.

Meng noted that the CICPE is a platform the company can use to open the domestic market further, as Chinese consumers are opting for higher-quality products as their living standards improve.

"The fair has greatly enhanced the recognition of our products among domestic consumers," Meng said.

Products are moving on from simply being "Made in China" to being "Created in China," and the CICPE showcases Chinese consumer products to global buyers and consumers, promoting more high-quality Chinese consumer goods to the world.

Bloomage Biotech, a major hyaluronic acid producer in east China's Shandong Province and a third-time exhibitor, has brought more than 240 types of products from its 30 brands.

Gao Yi, Bloomage Biotech's deputy general manager, said the CICPE has placed more Chinese brands under the spotlight, provided more opportunities for exchanges with overseas entrepreneurs, and expanded the international horizons of domestic brands.

"As boosting consumption has been highlighted as a key growth driver this year, the CICPE can help domestic brands develop broader markets, boost consumer confidence and lift global consumption," Gao said.

Themed "Share Open Opportunities, Co-Create a Better Life," the 3rd CICPE kicked off on Monday and will run through Saturday.