NZ Firms Eye Chongqing Trade Opportunities

Summary

Sarah Samavati, director of the skincare division at New Zealand's Totika Health Ltd, said in Chongqing on September 14 that she hopes to connect with Chinese skincare and food distributors and investors to expand the company's export market for skincare products and honey. The China (Chongqing)-New Zealand Trade Matchmaking Meeting was held in Chongqing that day, with several New Zealand companies conducting business matchmaking in the city, hoping to expand cooperation with Chongqing enterprises in agriculture, tourism, ice and snow economy, construction technology and other fields. Simon Bridges, CEO of Auckland Business Chamber, said in his speech that about 20 business representatives visited Chongqing on this trip, covering many industries.

The participating companies are very optimistic about cooperation prospects with Chongqing, hoping to understand the Chongqing market, establish contacts with industry professionals, and promote cooperation through investment and industry introduction. Jiang Yiming, general manager of New Zealand CMJ International Ltd, said his company focuses on ice and snow sports, alpine tourism, asset management and international communication. On this trip, he hopes to promote more projects in venue construction and operation, helping Chongqing's ice and snow economy upgrade to 'all-region, all-season, high-end'.

Yang Jian, chairman of the New Zealand Chinese Business Club, said that Chongqing's economic development, degree of opening-up and overseas visibility have laid a good foundation for cooperation between New Zealand and Chongqing enterprises. Ye Lina, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, said in her speech that economic and trade exchanges between Chongqing and New Zealand are increasingly close, and expressed hopes to share open development opportunities by deepening two-way trade in consumer goods and cross-border e-commerce cooperation, expanding agricultural technology and industrial chain cooperation, and promoting green low-carbon and infrastructure cooperation.

Commentary

New Zealand SMEs are accelerating their expansion into China's inland markets, and Chongqing, as a major consumer and manufacturing hub in the west, offers differentiated opportunities. Totika Health and other companies focusing on skincare and honey align with Chinese consumers' growing demand for natural and functional products, while CMJ International's targeting of the ice and snow economy echoes China's policy dividend of 'engaging 300 million people in ice and snow sports' and the gap in venue construction. For NZ SMEs, Chongqing's location advantage can radiate to the southwest market, but localisation challenges need attention: skincare products must comply with China's cosmetics registration regulations, and honey exports face Manuka brand competition and tariff arrangements.

Auckland Business Chamber organised 20 companies for cross-industry matchmaking, reflecting that the New Zealand business community is extending from traditional first-tier cities to regional hubs to diversify trade risks. The Chongqing Commerce Commission proposed cooperation directions such as two-way trade in consumer goods, agricultural technology and green infrastructure, which complement New Zealand's expertise in agricultural technology and low-carbon construction. SMEs should pay attention to the policy conveniences of the Chongqing Pilot Free Trade Zone and the Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone, and utilise the tariff preferences after the upgraded China-New Zealand FTA to enter niche markets.

Keywords: China-New Zealand trade matchmaking, Chongqing, New Zealand enterprises, Auckland Business Chamber, cross-border e-commerce, ice and snow economy, agricultural cooperation, two-way trade

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

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9月14日在重庆表示，希望与中国的护肤品和食品经销商、投资者建立联系，扩大公司护肤品和蜂蜜的出口市场。当日，中国（重庆）—新西兰经贸对接会在重庆举行，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，其公司专注于冰雪体育、高山旅游、资产管理与国际传播，此行希望在场馆建设、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表示，重庆与新西兰经贸往来日益密切，希望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。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰中小企业正加速开拓中国内陆市场，重庆作为西部消费与制造业重镇，提供了差异化机会。托蒂卡健康等企业聚焦护肤品与蜂蜜，契合中国消费者对天然、功能性产品的需求增长；而CMJ国际瞄准冰雪经济，则呼应了中国“带动三亿人参与冰雪运动”的政策红利与场馆建设缺口。对NZ SME而言，重庆的区位优势可辐射西南市场，但需注意本地化挑战：如护肤品需应对中国化妆品注册法规，蜂蜜出口面临麦卢卡品牌竞争与关税安排。

奥克兰商会组织20家企业跨行业对接，反映新西兰商界正从传统一线城市向区域枢纽延伸，以分散贸易风险。重庆商务委提出消费品双向贸易、农业科技、绿色基建等合作方向，与新西兰在农业技术、低碳建筑领域的专长形成互补。中小企业应关注重庆自贸试验区及跨境电商综试区的政策便利，利用中新FTA升级后的关税优惠，切入细分赛道。

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: None