Foreign business persons on how "Belt and Road" changes their lives

China-Yiwu International Trade Mart, east China’s Zhejiang province [File photo: yw.gov.cn]

A growing number of foreign business owners in the city of Yiwu in Zhejiang are pointing to the Chinese government's "Belt and Road" initiative as a major factor behind a massive spike in trade volumes of some 50-percent through this past year.

Yiwu is home to two million people, with an estimated one-in-four hailing from other countries.

Yiwu is best known for its International Trade Mart, a world famous wholesale market for small commodities.

So-called Exotic Street is just a few kilometers away from the wholesale market.

Many restaurants and stores on Exotic Street are foreign-operated.

Yiwu Exotic Street, east China’s Zhejiang province [File photo: yw.gov.cn]

"I'm from Egypt. My wife is Chinese. (She's) from Dongbei," said an Egyptian businessmen as he received interview.

Somali businessman Abdul says his business has become much easier since the "Belt and Road" initiative first became active.

"Before, when we sent the goods from Yiwu to England, it takes too long. But now this only takes about 16 to 18 days. So that means, you know, it's very helpful," said Abdul.

Jordanian businessman Mohanned has been running a restaurant on Exotic Street for 15 years.

His restaurant claims itself as the first Arab restaurant in Yiwu.

"We now have many goods shipped to other countries by railway. Some foreign people even made direct purchase from us here or ship their goods to us," said the Jordanian businessman.

China Railway Express [File photo: Xinhua]

In November 2014, China Railway Express that departed from Yiwu began reaching as far as Spain's capital, Madrid.

The ease of transport is also helping overseas Chinese nationals.

Xu Dongyong, who's been doing business in Spain, is now considering taking his business back to China.

"When the train arrived in Europe, the news went viral among our oversea Chinese nationals," said Xu.

As night falls, Exotic Street is seeing the start of its busy time.

Many business owners migrate to Exotic Street after a hard day's work to unwind.

"It (Gwadar Port) will definitely boost China's economy, definitely will support Pakistan economy. Pakistan will get a position like Singapore."

"Nepal is impressed by Chinese infrastructure. Nepal is expecting from China that China will come to Nepal and make infrastructure in Nepal."

"And Brazil is very proud of it, because China is growing a lot and we can be partners now. It's very important to our country as well, because China is growing so much and it's taking the world together."

Hammi from Iran has been doing business in China for 14-years, mainly exporting small commodities to the Middle East and Europe.

He's among those who say trade between China and Iran had been expanding in recent years thanks to the "Belt and Road" program.

"As a foreigner in China my feeling can be summarized in a phrase, win-win. In this scenario, both sides can win and promote common development," added Hammi.