As CIIE promotional event series arrived in Hubei province, Alexander James Nelson, Deputy General Manager of TUTTl Élelmiszeripari Kft, made his second foray into this central Chinese province. Nelson couldn't stop praising Hubei, where he found not only delightful hot dry noodles and lotus roots but also fertile ground nurturing business development.

"I believe our company can establish a particularly large laboratory center in Hubei in the future." Even before the event concluded, Nelson was already envisioning the company's development prospects in China.

GATEWAY TO CHINA

In 2024, TUTTI participated in the CIIE for the first time, showcasing a range of products in beauty, anti-aging, and weight management. Despite being a "new face" at the CIIE, the company quickly established connections with many domestic e-commerce platforms and enterprises, swiftly opening up the Chinese market and transforming "exhibition traffic" into tangible profits within a few short months.

For foreign companies new to the scene, the CIIE serves as a crucial window into understanding China's consumer network. It not only creates opportunities for foreign companies to tap into the Chinese market but also helps them swiftly and accurately grasp consumers' real needs. Nelson admitted that through the CIIE, TUTTI successfully connected with numerous imported goods supermarkets and e-commerce platforms. This realization prompted Nelson to keep pace with the CIIE's strides. His visit to Hubei this time brought new gains.

Nelson, deputy general manager of Hungary's TUTTI, receives an interview.

"Pharmaceutical companies require a large number of technical talents and a friendly clinical trial environment. We are attracted to Wuhan's abundant scientific and educational resources and efficient administrative capabilities. Our first investment in China is likely to land in Wuhan," Nelson expressed confidently.

"We hope to develop and produce new products in China and gradually expand into the Southeast Asian market," Nelson stated. In the future, TUTTI aims not only to bring more European products into China but also to establish a more comprehensive clinical trial and product development system in China, selling new products in Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

CONNECT THE GLOBE

The CIIE is not just a stage for exhibitors but also a platform for buyers to connect with global resources. Wuhan Zhongshang Supermarket, a top 100 chain commercial enterprise in China, has participated in the CIIE for many years, procuring high-quality imported goods from around the world.

"Over the years, we have found numerous fast-moving consumer goods at the CIIE. The introduction of these goods has greatly helped optimize our product structure and boost consumption levels in the central region of Hubei," said Tang Lihong, CPO of Wuhan Zhongshang Commercial Group Company Limited.

Tang Lihong, CPO of Wuhan Zhongshang Commercial Group Company Limited，receives an interview.

More collaborative developments are unfolding. Tang stumbled upon a European wine company at the CIIE, which has vineyards in France and Italy and exports red wine in Europe.

Due to the higher import costs of bottled red wine compared to canned red wine, Tang decided to import canned red wine and collaborated with a domestic company specializing in canned products, initiating a new cooperative project, transitioning from mere "purchasing" to joint innovative production lines.

Tang acknowledged, "Through the CIIE, we can cut out intermediate links, directly connect with foreign clients, which has greatly helped in cost reduction. The CIIE not only brought us closer to foreign clients but also played a pivotal role in upgrading domestic industries, including innovating processing techniques for consumer goods".

Having tasted success, Tang eagerly anticipates the 8th CIIE and  actively sought opportunities for collaboration with internationally renowned consumer goods companies at the "CIIE Goes to Hubei" event. "If given the chance, we will strive to facilitate industry partnerships on the basis of product procurement," Tang remarked.

HUBEI CHARM SHINES

The CIIE is more than just a trade bridge; it further extends the connection between the world and Wuhan into the depths of people-to-people exchanges. At the 7th CIIE, Hubei Province's people-to-people exchange activity booth was divided into two main sections: cultural displays and industrial showcases. Over 20 time-honored enterprises and 30 advantageous industrial enterprises participated, showcasing 12 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items on-site, fully demonstrating Hubei's cultural heritage and industrial vitality.

During the event, 30 provincial-level inheritors of ICH presented traditional ICH items such as Wuhan dough sculpture, Ezhou paper-cutting, and Chu incense, showcasing the unique charm of ICH and Hubei's profound historical and cultural heritage. The specially arranged Chu cuisine tasting session allowed guests to experience the unique flavors of Hubei cuisine, with a provincial representative inheritor demonstrating the on-site preparation of steamed Wuchang fish and Hubei fish balls.

In just six days, multiple ICH items from Hubei received orders of intent, and the inheritors were able to engage in in-depth exchanges with global business partners on international cooperation in cultural and creative industries, brand promotion, and research and training programs. 

A representative from the Hubei Department of Commerce stated that the CIIE is an important platform for Hubei to showcase its own image, promote the integration of economy, trade, and culture, and hoped that through the annual CIIE, cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign countries will continue to deepen, pushing cooperation between Hubei and various parts of the world to new heights.

CIIE in Hubei event

Disclaimer

The information in this article is compiled from materials provided by relevant parties participating in the CIIE and media reports,  with the CIIE Bureau objectively compiling relevant content. The CIIE Bureau does not take responsibility for disputes or losses arising from the following circumstances: deviations in expression due to outdated information updates; readers' subjective judgments or actions based on this article; unauthorized alteration or dissemination of the content by third parties.