Yiwu products shine as Paris Olympics approach
A foreign trader selects goods at a shop in Yiwu. [Photo/cztv.com]
As the Paris Olympics draw near, Yiwu's Olympic economy is thriving, with local products gaining prominence in the French capital.
The Yiwu International Trade Market, particularly its third district, is bustling with over 600 sports goods shops. Leo, a German buyer, is a frequent visitor, stocking up on various sports equipment and memorabilia as the Olympic spirit sweeps through Europe.
Yiwu's exports have soared, with Olympic-related orders flooding in. Yang Yujiao, the owner of a shop selling Olympic badminton rackets and other products, said, "Recently, we've seen a significant increase in inquiries from European and American customers. Compared to the same period last year, our order volume has grown by about 30 percent."
Hangzhou Customs reported that from January to April, Zhejiang's sports goods exports exceeded 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion), a 24.8 percent increase year-on-year and making up a quarter of China's total exports in this category. Yiwu's exports to France notably jumped by over 70 percent.
The Paris Olympic Organizing Committee announced that 80 percent of the Olympic mascots are manufactured in China, with the majority produced in Yiwu.