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What is the energy of the CIIE? "It's like standing on the shoulder of a giant," said Michael Owen, CEO of American company Dortmund China
Five years ago, Dotray, which participated in the CIIE for the first time, was just a small enterprise with only a few dozen employees. Five years later, Dortmund has set ambitious goals: by 2030, the Chinese market will surpass its US headquarters and become the world's number one.
The CIIE welcomes visitors from all over the world and aims to benefit the world. Countless small and medium-sized enterprises like Dotray have traveled thousands of miles to China and achieved their "big dreams" at the CIIE.
Small businesses seeking their dreams
The China International Import Expo is the world's first national level exhibition with import as its theme, and is a major breakthrough in the history of international trade development. Holding the CIIE aims to expand openness and turn the Chinese market into a great opportunity for the world. During the annual CIIE, companies from over 100 countries around the world collectively make appearances at national exhibition centers, including small and medium-sized enterprises like Dotray. Mai Owen remembers that when invited by the China Association of Foreign Investment to participate in the first CIIE, with a "try it out" mentality, Dortre arranged a booth of only 9 square meters. Perhaps no one expected that the small booth on the four leaf clover would burst with astonishing energy. During the CIIE, many visitors arrived upon hearing the fragrance. "Our booth was crowded with people, and business orders poured in like snowflakes. The first CIIE successfully signed a purchase intention letter of 380 million yuan," said Maiowen.
With a platform that can connect with various parties inside and outside the industry, enterprises have greater confidence in localization strategies and clearer directions. Even a small exhibition booth of 9 square meters, even a small and medium-sized enterprise whose size cannot match that of the Fortune 500 companies, has changed its fate.
"We seem to be standing on the shoulders of a giant, the brand awareness of the enterprise has been enhanced, and the business development in the Chinese market has also ushered in new breakthroughs," said Maiowen.
From "9" to "200"
At the CIIE, moss flowers and peonies can each showcase their beauty and share the same beauty. From the first 9 square meters, to 108 square meters, 150 square meters, and now to 200 square meters, from "9" to "200", Dortre has expanded not only its booth area, but also its confidence in the CIIE and the Chinese market.
Along with the rise of confidence, there is also the purchase intention amount signed between Dotray and customers at each CIIE. From 380 million yuan, to 700 million yuan, and then to 1 billion yuan... Behind the digital growth, it reflects the vigorous development of Dotray in China, and is also a reflection of the strong "magnetic force" of the CIIE.
The CIIE has also become the most important stage for Dortmund. Since the second CIIE, Dotray has released a brand new essential oil product every year at the CIIE site, from the maple fragrance essential oil with Chinese style to the "Dream Seeking on the Sea" filled with Shanghai's urban charm, from the "magnificent flying sky" full of historical charm to the "Autumn of Cloud Realm" on the Tea Horse Ancient Road south of Yunling
Before June arrived, Michael Owen was already busy preparing for the CIIE more than 100 days later. Design exhibition booths, receive clients, accept interviews The most important thing is to develop an exclusive essential oil product for the 6th CIIE. "The CIIE has built a huge platform for our products to enter the Chinese market, and we hope to bring the best products to Clover," said Maiowen.
Building an ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises
A single flower blooming alone is not spring, a hundred flowers blooming together fills the garden with spring. The CIIE has become a window for China to build a new development pattern, a platform to promote high-level openness, and a globally shared international public good.
From participating in the CIIE with a "give it a try" mentality to continuously expanding the booth area, Dotray is a microcosm of the CIIE's assistance to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
After the CIIE, Dotray only took a short time to make the Chinese market its second largest global market, and its current business volume is comparable to the domestic market in the United States.
Apart from the Fortune Global 500, many of the exhibitors at the CIIE are small and medium-sized enterprises from various countries around the world. Small businesses can also accomplish great things and play an irreplaceable and important role in economic development. Many companies like us also hope to establish cooperation links with the Chinese market and have the opportunity to showcase themselves at the CIIE. "Group building" is a more effective way of development than "fighting alone." Establishing alliances can help small and medium-sized enterprises, progress together, and win opportunities. Small and medium-sized enterprises are intertwined to jointly build an international cooperation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises at the CIIE. By integrating platform and resource advantages, we aim to create a thriving and collaborative development ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises. "I hope that small and medium-sized enterprises can make progress together, win opportunities, and share the dividends of China's economic development through the CIIE," said Maiowen.
