“Sorry, I am busy now!” This was the most common reply when reporters were trying to find an interviewee at the 2023 Zhejiang Yiwu International Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Expo (ME Expo).

Merchants waved their hands and moved quickly. They looked serious, and from time to time they would talk closely with their partners or make comments on products of interest. One saw them stopping at one booth after another.

“I’m very sorry. I have an appointment with my business partner. I’m in a hurry to meet them,” a Pakistani merchant who has been in Yiwu for 18 years and speaks fluent Chinese politely explained to the reporter, and offered his WeChat if a further interview was needed. Then, he disappeared in the throngs of people in the exhibition hall.

He was among the numerous international businessmen carefully looking at the map of the hall while walking quickly to their destinations and declining interviews. The maps in their hands were like treasure maps, and they would not allow even a short delay.

“This is my WeChat.” At the booth of Shining 3D Ltd., a Cameroonian businessperson with the preferred name Tania scanned WeChat QR code and added the product manager, Xing Taiwei, as a contact. According to Tania, products of Shining 3D have wide application in fields like astronomy, the motor industry, and electronics. Shining 3D is professional and competitive, with cutting-edge innovation. Their global leadership in the field is exceptional.

At this expo, which had been suspended during the pandemic, the bustling atmosphere indicates the enormous business opportunities. The expo is a platform to showcase many miscellaneous products at good prices, which attract international merchants.

This year, nearly 500 companies took part in the ME Expo this year, hailing from over 10 provinces around the country, plus 13 overseas countries and regions, including the United States and Germany. Over 2300 standard booths were arranged, an increase of 6% from the previous Expo. More than 13,500 purchasers have registered for attendance, along with 9,800 intended buyers. In addition, other local economic departments also plan to organize company buyers, with an estimate of more than 10,000 people. (Text and photo by Wu Fengyu—Yiwu Business News, translated by Lin Yuqin, edited by Kendra Fiddler)