The view of OH Bay Park and Qianhai in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province on August 21. China in September announced to deepen opening-up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. Photo: cnsphoto

Young entrepreneurs from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions have found a great place in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to start a business, and they now found another great platform to introduce their products and services to the mainland market: the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

This year, the CIIE set up a designated area for businesses from Hong Kong and Macao to showcase their products and services. Many young entrepreneurs took advantage of that, as they use the chance to talk to potential clients. 

At the CIIE, both orders and deals have been better than expected, Cyan U, who works with Sardinia Macao, a start-up trading Portuguese perfume and soaps, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"Many hotels and collection stores have shown great interest in our products," she said.

Since the company was founded a few years ago, U and her colleagues have visited the mainland to attend business and trade events like CIIE at least four to five times a year. 

Given the vast market opportunity, many young entrepreneurs from Macao choose to start businesses on the mainland, she said, adding that the sales of the company grew in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the market potential, the favorable policies for the GBA have also attracted the young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macao to settle in the mainland, Raymond Chau, a Hong Kong exhibitor at the CIIE and founder of health product brand Senior Deli, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Chau's start-up company is based in Qianhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

"You can see a lot of Hong Kong entrepreneurs in the innovation parks in Qianhai. The certification procedures are handled intensively, with high efficiency and a strong entrepreneurial atmosphere," Chau said.

Attending the CIIE for the first time, Senior Deli showcased a series of healthcare products for the elderly.

"Similar products have become very common in Hong Kong, but they are just entering the mainland market. We look forward to more cooperation with mainland institutions and hospitals to help us enter the market through the CIIE," Chau said.

Global Times