NZ firms eye Chongqing partnerships in agriculture, tourism and snow sports

Summary

A China (Chongqing)-New Zealand business matchmaking conference was held in Chongqing on 14 September, with a number of New Zealand companies visiting the city to explore trade and investment ties in agriculture, tourism, the snow economy and construction technology. Sarah Samawati, director of the skincare division at New Zealand's Totika Health Ltd, said the company hopes to connect with Chinese skincare and food distributors and investors, build lasting partnerships with local firms and expand export markets for its skincare products and honey. Simon Bridges, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said in his address that about 20 business representatives from a range of sectors were on the visit and that participating companies were upbeat about the prospects for co-operation with Chongqing.

They aim to learn more about the local market, build contacts and advance co-operation through investment and industry partnerships, he said. Jiang Yiming, general manager of New Zealand CMJ International Ltd, said the company is a diversified platform focused on snow sports, alpine tourism, asset management and international communications, and is committed to cross-border integration of Chinese and New Zealand alpine resources. On this trip it hopes to strengthen engagement with Chinese companies and advance projects in venue construction and operations, helping upgrade Chongqing's snow economy towards an all-region, four-season and high-end model, he said.

Yang Jian, chairman of the New Zealand Chinese Business Club, said Chongqing's night views left a deep impression on him, and the city's economic development, openness and international profile have laid a solid foundation for co-operation between New Zealand and Chongqing companies. Ye Lina, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Commerce Commission, said trade and economic exchanges between Chongqing and New Zealand are growing closer, and she hoped both sides would share opportunities in opening-up through deeper two-way trade in consumer goods and cross-border e-commerce, expanded co-operation in agricultural technology and industrial chains, and green, low-carbon and infrastructure co-operation. She noted that New Zealand's quality dairy products, beef and lamb and health supplements are popular with Chongqing consumers, while Chongqing's high-end motorcycles, quality agricultural machinery and specialty foods are well received in New Zealand.

In future, she said, both sides hope to build efficient supply chains so that more New Zealand consumer goods reach Chongqing and more Chongqing products serve New Zealand consumers.

Commentary

New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises are turning their attention to China's inland markets, and Chongqing, as a consumer and logistics hub in the west, offers a new entry point for co-operation in agriculture, tourism and the snow economy. Companies such as Totika Health are seeking local distribution partners for skincare products and honey, reflecting a trend of New Zealand functional foods and natural personal care products moving into lower-tier Chinese cities. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce's visit with 20 companies shows that New Zealand firms are no longer confining themselves to coastal first-tier cities but are actively exploring regional market differences.

Chongqing's emphasis on two-way trade and joint supply chains points to more direct cold-chain and cross-border e-commerce opportunities for New Zealand exporters. In the snow economy, CMJ International's push for cross-border integration of alpine resources fits the demand in southern Chinese cities for indoor snow facilities and four-season operations, and New Zealand's experience in ski field design, operations management and training systems can be turned into service exports. However, New Zealand companies need to pay attention to consumer preferences and the competitive landscape in Chongqing; local brands, for example, already have strong recognition in honey and health supplements, so differentiated positioning and local compliance are key.

Chongqing's mention of high-end motorcycles and agricultural machinery exports to New Zealand also suggests that bilateral trade is extending from one-way resources to complementary manufacturing. For New Zealand SME owners, the signal from this matchmaking conference is that China's inland markets are opening up further, but success requires local partners and precise entry into niche segments rather than relying on brand prestige alone.

Keywords: China-New Zealand business matchmaking conference, Chongqing, New Zealand companies, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, cross-border e-commerce, snow economy, agricultural co-operation, two-way trade

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

中国（重庆）—新西兰经贸对接会9月14日在重庆举行，多家新西兰企业赴渝开展经贸对接，希望拓展与重庆企业在农业、旅游、冰雪经济、建筑技术等领域的合作。新西兰托蒂卡健康有限公司肌肤护理事业部董事莎拉·萨马瓦蒂表示，希望与中国的护肤品和食品经销商、投资者建立联系，与当地企业建立持久的合作伙伴关系，扩大公司护肤品和蜂蜜的出口市场。新西兰奥克兰商会首席执行官西蒙·布里吉斯致辞时表示，此行有约20位企业代表参访重庆，涵盖诸多行业，与会企业非常看好与重庆的合作前景，希望借此次参访交流了解重庆市场行情，与业界人士建立联系，并通过投资、引入产业等方式促进合作。

新西兰CMJ国际有限公司总经理姜懿明介绍，其公司是专注于冰雪体育、高山旅游、资产管理与国际传播的综合性平台，致力于推动中国与新西兰高山资源的跨境整合，此行希望与中国企业加强对接，在场馆建设、运营等方面推动更多项目落地，助力重庆冰雪经济向“全域、四季、高端化”升级。新西兰华商俱乐部主席杨健说，重庆的夜景给他留下深刻印象，重庆经济发展、对外开放程度、海外知名度等，都为新西兰企业与重庆企业合作打下良好基础。重庆市商务委员会副主任叶力娜致辞时说，重庆与新西兰经贸往来日益密切，希望双方通过深化消费品双向贸易与跨境电商合作、拓展农业科技与产业链合作、推动绿色低碳与基础设施合作等方式，共享开放发展机遇。

她举例说，新西兰的优质乳制品、牛羊肉、保健品深受重庆消费者喜爱，重庆的高端摩托车、优质农机、特色食品也深得新西兰消费者青睐，未来希望双方企业共建高效供应链，让更多新西兰优质消费品走进重庆，也让重庆特色产品服务更多新西兰消费者。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰中小企业正将目光投向中国内陆市场，重庆作为西部消费与物流枢纽，为农业、旅游和冰雪经济等领域的合作提供了新切入点。托蒂卡健康等企业寻求护肤品和蜂蜜的本地分销伙伴，反映出新西兰功能性食品和天然个护产品在中国二三线城市的渠道下沉趋势。奥克兰商会率20家企业实地对接，显示新西兰企业不再局限于沿海一线城市，而是主动探索区域市场差异。

重庆方面强调双向贸易与供应链共建，这对新西兰出口商意味着更直接的冷链和跨境电商合作可能。冰雪经济领域，CMJ国际推动高山资源跨境整合，契合中国南方城市发展室内冰雪和四季运营的需求，新西兰在雪场设计、运营管理和培训体系上的经验可转化为服务输出。然而，新西兰企业需注意重庆市场的消费偏好与竞争格局，例如本土品牌在蜂蜜和保健品领域已有较强认知，差异化定位和本地化合规是关键。

重庆高端摩托车和农机对新西兰出口的提法，也提示双边贸易正从单向资源型向互补制造延伸。对于新西兰中小企业主，此次对接会释放的信号是：中国内陆市场的开放度在提升，但成功进入需要依托本地伙伴和精准的细分领域切入，而非单纯依赖品牌光环。

关键词: 中新经贸对接会, 重庆, 新西兰企业, 奥克兰商会, 跨境电商, 冰雪经济, 农业合作, 双向贸易

Source: China News Service Chongqing Branch