New Zealand firms eye multi-sector cooperation in Chongqing matchmaking visit

Summary

The China (Chongqing)-New Zealand Economic and Trade Matchmaking Conference was held in Chongqing on September 14, drawing a group of New Zealand companies seeking to expand cooperation with Chongqing counterparts in agriculture, tourism, the ice and snow economy and construction technology. Sarah Samawati, director of the skincare division at New Zealand Totika Health Co. , Ltd.

, said she hoped to connect with Chinese skincare and food distributors and investors, expand the company's skincare and honey export markets and build lasting partnerships with local firms. Simon Bridges, chief executive of the New Zealand Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said about 20 business representatives made the trip, covering a wide range of industries, and that the companies taking part were optimistic about cooperation prospects with Chongqing. Jiang Yiming, general manager of New Zealand CMJ International Co.

, Ltd. , said he hoped to advance more projects in venue construction and operation, helping Chongqing's ice and snow economy upgrade towards 'all-region, all-season, high-end'. Ye Lina, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Commerce Commission, said economic and trade exchanges between Chongqing and New Zealand are becoming increasingly close.

She hoped to deepen two-way trade in consumer goods and cross-border e-commerce cooperation, expand cooperation in agricultural science and technology and industrial chains, and promote green, low-carbon and infrastructure cooperation. New Zealand's high-quality dairy products, beef and mutton and health supplements are deeply loved by Chongqing consumers, she said, while Chongqing's high-end motorcycles, quality agricultural machinery and specialty foods are also highly favoured by New Zealand consumers.

Commentary

New Zealand companies' matchmaking visit to Chongqing suggests China's western market is shifting from traditional bulk trade towards high-value-added consumer goods and professional services. Since the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement was upgraded, tariffs on New Zealand agricultural products such as honey and dairy have been cut to zero, but non-tariff barriers remain the key hurdle: honey must meet China's import inspection, quarantine and labelling requirements, and Manuka honey also has to address counterfeiting on the market; skincare products must complete registration with the National Medical Products Administration, and small and medium-sized brands usually need to work through local distributors to reduce compliance costs. Totika Health's search for distributors and investment follows exactly that path.

CMJ International, by contrast, is targeting Chongqing's ice and snow economy. China's ice and snow industry is expected to exceed one trillion yuan in scale by 2025, and southern cities are accelerating the construction of indoor ski resorts, with specific needs in venue design, operation and all-season renovation. New Zealand's alpine tourism and ski resort management experience can be exported, but it needs to be adapted to local joint venture or franchise models to avoid the 'experience transplant' problem of not fitting local conditions.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce is leading about 20 companies on the visit, covering multiple industries, indicating that New Zealand SMEs are trying to expand from bulk categories such as dairy and beef and lamb into niche areas such as honey, skincare products and ice and snow services. The Chongqing Municipal Commerce Commission's proposal to deepen two-way trade in consumer goods and cross-border e-commerce cooperation also gives New Zealand brands a channel to reach the southwestern market via Chongqing's cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone. However, companies still need to work through these compliance requirements.

Keywords: New Zealand, Chongqing, Economic and Trade Matchmaking Conference, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Cross-border E-commerce, Ice and Snow Economy, Dairy Products, Honey, Sarah Samawati, Ye Lina

Source: Tencent