When products are sufficiently innovative, customers will maintain stable cooperative relationships with us,» said Jiang Nan, general manager of Jiangsu Romon Lauren Group Outdoor New Material Co., Ltd., noting that one key to successful «going global» is continuously increasing research and development efforts.
Romon Lauren primarily produces fabrics for ski wear, down jackets, and outerwear, with customers mainly in Western Europe and North America. During a recent interview, Jiang Nan pointed to a fabric composed of 97% bio-based materials, stating, «Functional, technological, and fashionable fabrics like this are very popular among overseas clients, with a minimum order quantity as high as 2,000 yards.»
Against the backdrop of sluggish global economic growth and increasing uncertainties in international trade, small and medium-sized private enterprises in China are placing greater emphasis on building and consolidating their technological advantages and unique characteristics. Wu Changming, general manager of Wujiang Minsk Trading Co., Ltd., said that with «technical barriers plus cost advantages,» the company has seen continuous overseas orders for yacht sunscreen fabrics and medical nylon cloth. From January to July this year, Minsk’s export value increased by over 190% year-on-year.
While strengthening technological advantages, small and medium-sized private enterprises are also focusing on flexibly diversifying their market presence. Wu Changming mentioned that one reason for this year’s strong export performance is the recent development of the Middle Eastern market. «We will also try to reach African clients to reserve more business resources.»
Longquan Xili, which focuses on mid-to-high-end silk products, began expanding into the Middle Eastern market several years ago. The company’s director, Xu Qiuchen, said, «Middle Eastern countries have hot weather and a high acceptance of pure silk. Saudi Arabia, one of the Belt and Road Initiative countries, also has strong purchasing power and currently accounts for about a quarter of the company’s export share.»
Yancheng Zhongheng Pet Products Co., Ltd. not only enhanced its product competitiveness in overseas markets by obtaining 79 valid patents in the United States, Japan, Germany, and other countries but also broadened its development path through overseas investment and cooperation. The head of the company’s cross-border e-commerce department, Qiu Shuhua, said that their pet food company invested in Cambodia achieved sales revenue of over $12 million last year, and some production lines of another pet products company have also begun normal operations and sales.
In recent years, governments at all levels in China have continued to increase support for small, medium, and micro foreign trade enterprises, with various regions introducing tailored services to address export difficulties and pain points.
At the Changshu Comprehensive Bonded Zone, we met Chen Yue, owner of Jinciyi Garment Store, who was using the «Market Procurement Trade» platform to ship a batch of clothing to the Philippines. «Previously, shipments had to be sent to Fujian first for consolidation. Now I can consolidate and ship directly from here, saving about a week.»
The «Market Procurement Trade» platform is a local comprehensive cross-border trade service platform specifically designed for small, medium, and micro enterprises. Processes such as merchant registration, cargo consolidation, inspection and customs clearance, foreign exchange settlement, and tax-free declaration can be completed «in one stop,» effectively improving the efficiency of compliant export and foreign exchange receipt operations.
By effectively utilizing government support measures, strengthening technological research, and optimizing supply chain integration, China’s small and medium-sized private enterprises have further enhanced their operational flexibility and innovation. According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first eight months of this year, the import and export volume of China’s private enterprises grew by 7.4%, accounting for 57.1% of the total import and export volume, an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to the same period last year.