China News Service, Ningbo, February 8 (Fang Kunyongxuan) "When running business in a foreign country, sometimes I feel helpless." "Fortunately, I have made a group of new friends overseas." "I think of having a wife at home. "The children are waiting, and with the support of government departments behind them, there is a fearless momentum"... As the New Year approaches, China News Network reporters walked into Ningbo, Zhejiang, the "foreign trade city", and interviewed three "rushing" people who have been "rushing" in foreign countries all year round. "Overseas Salesmen", from their experiences of running exhibitions, discussing business, and making friends, we can get a glimpse of new stories happening in Ningbo's foreign trade.
Weaving friendship and business opportunities along the “Belt and Road”
"As the Spring Festival approaches, I have received many 'Happy Chinese New Year' messages from foreign friends. This is not only a New Year blessing, but also a concern for me from foreign friends." Sun Yuqing is the chairman of Zhejiang Bingfeng Compressor Co., Ltd. , is also an "overseas salesman" who travels around the world all year round. He always believes that doing business is making friends.
Sun Yuqing and his friends. Photo courtesy Pan Yuying
Sun Yuqing's company mainly sells refrigeration compressors such as refrigerators and freezers, and exports them to countries building the "One Belt, One Road" initiative. Brightly colored red coral, elegantly colored white jade porcelain, glass products with different styles... There is a cabinet in Sun Yuqing's office that is not very "harmonious". The cabinet is full of souvenirs given by friends from various countries.
"This red coral is the national stone of Algeria. It was given to me by my local friend Kondor. I hope it can bring me good luck." Sun Yuqing told reporters that he and Kondor met at the Global Refrigeration Industry Exhibition last year. He introduced the performance test data of the series of compressors produced by his company to Kondor, such as start-stop, wear and high temperature, and the two hit it off. Kondor left Sun Yuqing’s contact information on the spot, and the two have maintained close contact since then.
Is it difficult to run an export business?
Faced with the question, Sun Yuqing smiled and said: "It is definitely difficult. Foreign customers have higher requirements for product details. Our research and development process needs to be polished layer by layer, and a large amount of money must be invested in each link. Fortunately, a series of preferential tax policies have helped us alleviate the problem." There is a certain amount of financial pressure.”
According to reports, in 2023, the company will enjoy an additional deduction of RMB 8.42 million for research and development expenses. In addition, the tax department will proactively provide overseas investment guides to help the company better understand the tax system of the place of investment, and help the company to officially implement its cooperative factory project in Algeria.
"The order of US$30 million has already arrived. After New Year's Eve, I will return to Algeria to connect the cooperative factory project. I hope that in the new year, I can expand more territories and take advantage of more preferential tax policies. , make more friends." Sun Yuqing said.
Foreign trade elites "overseas nuggets" during the Spring Festival holiday
"This Spring Festival, I have arranged a 'global trip' for myself." During this Spring Festival holiday, Gu Qifeng, general manager of Ningbo Chenfeng International Trading Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Chenfeng International"), will spend 10 days traveling to 5 countries , seize new opportunities in the foreign trade market with a special "Spring Festival trip".
In early 2000, Gu Qifeng joined Chenfeng International with the hope of "going overseas". With his enthusiasm for foreign trade and the tenacity of Ningbo people, he carved out his own "foreign trade road" step by step, and also He became the company’s “Business Brother”.
Gu Qifeng’s overseas “circle of friends”. Photo courtesy Shao Zhe
"Overseas customers will work as usual during the Spring Festival. Due to the Spring Festival holiday, domestic business will be less busy than usual. It is a good time to explore overseas markets." For this "Spring Festival Global Tour", Gu Qifeng started a few months in advance. He also showed off his accompanying "partners" - two suitcases with slightly heavy signs of use.
"I still remember two years ago, I took 100 samples and traveled to 15 European countries in 30 days to complete a new order of 3 million US dollars." Gu Qifeng said as he opened one of the suitcases, which contained There are tea leaves, silk scarves and other gifts with Chinese cultural elements.
His other suitcase was neatly filled with various samples and information. Gu Qifeng put a price tag on each sample and carefully wrapped it to reduce damage to the sample during the bumpy journey. Gu Qifeng also brought a special book called "One Belt, One Road" Tax Code Collection, "This was given to me by the tax department when they came to provide tutoring. Just scan the code to understand the overseas investment environment, tax system, tax risks and other information." I’m going to take a good look at it on the road and look it up at any time if I don’t understand anything.” Gu Qifeng said that when discussing cooperation with foreign customers, tax is an important factor that must be taken into consideration.
"Thousands of emails are worse than one meeting. This Spring Festival, I want to comprehensively display the company's full range of products to new and old overseas customers and establish long-term and stable cooperative relationships." Gu Qifeng said.
Conquer the international market with "Ningbo flavor"
"Overseas marketing is actually a very difficult road. Consumer needs in different markets are different, localized operations are difficult, and good channels are often lacking..." Although "going overseas" is not easy, Xu, head of overseas business of Haitong Food Group Co., Ltd. Dong has an insight into the market demand and uses his unique "sea-going experience" to lead the team to ride the wind and waves, expand its sales scope from a single Japanese market to a diversified international market, and bring the "Ningbo flavor" abroad.
Xu Dong and his partners. Photo courtesy Han Sunwen
"The complex and ever-changing foreign trade situation forces us to find new markets. In recent years, we have gradually opened up markets in the United States, Australia, West Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and other countries and regions." Xu Dong told reporters that every time we expand a new overseas market The market is a tough battle.
In this regard, Xu Dong is very grateful to the local taxation and other government departments. In his view, the taxation department has continuously optimized the export tax refund processing process, shortened the time for tax refunds to be received, and achieved efficient withdrawal of corporate funds and rapid turnover, giving him more "steps forward" The confidence of opening up the country and going global”. In 2023, Haitong Group's total export volume will reach 170 million yuan, and export tax rebates will be nearly 16 million yuan.
"Now, the company's overseas sales have been reopened. I am confident that our Ningbo flavor can go abroad and conquer the world." Xu Dong said.
The Spring Festival is approaching, and for Xu Dong, who travels abroad for business all year round, having a meal with his children and elderly parents has become a luxury. "Every festive season, I miss my family even more. My family members are very understanding and supportive of me. With their concern, I feel very at ease even if I am in a foreign land." Xu Dong said. (over)