Foreign man become a successful entrepreneur in China, share his

A Jordanian man has become a successful entrepreneur in Yiwu in east China’s Zhejiang province, which is known for harboring the world’s largest small commodity wholesale market.

Mohanad Shalabi came to China to seek work 21 years ago. At first, he labored at an Arabic restaurant operated by his uncle in south China’s Guangdong province, where he met and married his wife Liu Fang from east China’s Anhui province.

“My dream was to start my own business. I always believed that I have a business brain,” Shalabi said, adding that he was convinced that he would succeed because China offers equal opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs.

In 2002, Shalabi learned that many Arab merchants were flocking to Yiwu, but there were relatively few Arabic restaurants in the city. Seizing the opportunity, the couple began to run their own Arabic restaurant that year named “Ward”, which means “rose” in Arabic and symbolizes happiness and peace, at north Chouzhou road in Yiwu.

During that time, shortly after China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, Yiwu was on its way to developing itself into the world’s largest small commodity market, attracting more and more foreign merchants.

As one of the few Arabic restaurants in Yiwu, Shalabi’s business managed to garner a good reputation and received a surging number of foreign merchants as customers.

Shalabi moved his restaurant into a building located closer to Yiwu’s International Trade Mart in 2018, and renamed it “Beyti”, which means “my home.” In the three-story restaurant, he has hired 10 chefs and has been updating the menu and improving services. “I want to make everyone feel at home,” he said.

This man has also witnessed the rapid development of China’s Yiwu.

In 2012, the local government set up a one-stop international trade service center to handle all foreign-related businesses to greatly improve the efficiency of governing these entities. A few years later, the local government adopted Shalabi’s advice to issue foreign merchant cards to foreign businessmen in the city. The card serves the same functions of a foreigner’s passport, and holders of the card can enjoy the same benefits that local citizens have in terms of pensions, healthcare, children’s education, and other social benefits.

As a result, around 15,000 foreign traders from more than 100 countries and regions are now stationed in Yiwu, and over 550,000 foreigners come to the city to purchase commodities every year.

Source:peoplesdaily

Editor: Crystal H

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