Afghan merchant eyes enormous business opportunities at CIIE

Ali Faiz (1st L) introduces Afghan carpets to visitors at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) 

It is the fourth time Faiz has participated in the expo since his first attendance in 2020 when he brought the handmade wool carpet, a specialty product of Afghanistan. The expo helped him obtain over 2,000 orders of carpets, which meant incomes for more than 2,000 local families for an entire year.

With his booth growing bigger and bigger and his exhibits becoming more and more diversified over these years in the expos, Faiz hopes to bring more Afghan products to China in the future.

"The CIIE provides us with a valuable window of opportunity so we can integrate into economic globalization and enjoy its benefits like those in more developed regions," he said.

An Afghan pomegranate is displayed at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Visitors are attracted by Afghan food and agricultural products at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (C) recommends Afghan food and agricultural products to visitors at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (1st L) poses for a group photo at the opening ceremony of Greenland Global Food Pavilion and the launch of new products with national specialties during the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (L) introduces a piece of Afghan jewelry to a visitor at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (C) recommends Afghan pine nuts to visitors at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (2nd R) introduces Afghan jewelry to visitors at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (R) introduces Afghan carpets to a visitor at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (L) and his employee use a cart to carry carpets at the Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (L) discusses the details of an order with an employee at the Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Ali Faiz (rear) talks with an employee at the Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)