For Over a Decade, Foreign Entrepreneur Ali Has Called Zhejiang His Home

Over ten years ago, Ali Ganum, an entrepreneur from South America, was deeply captivated by Yiwu—known as the "world's small commodity capital"—and firmly decided to put down roots here. Starting with international trade, he focused on categories such as cosmetics and daily necessities. Leveraging Yiwu's abundant product resources and efficient global logistics network, he carved out a significant market presence by bridging trade between China and South America through small commodities.

After years of experience in the cosmetics trade, Ali was no longer satisfied with merely being a "distributor" of goods. In recent years, he has he expanded into manufacturing, investing in factories in China and assembling a localized team focused on developing and producing high-quality cosmetics. Since 2022, Ali has further increased his investment in China, gradually establishing an integrated industrial chain that includes modern cosmetics factories with supporting facilities for R&D, production, and sales. To date, he has invested over USD 20 million in the Jinhua and Yiwu regions.

Ali worked in the laboratory to develop new products

To better promote his brand in the international market, Ali invested in a storefront at the Yiwu International Trade Market. In his view, Yiwu is not only a renowned gateway for China's international trade but also the first stop for products reaching global buyers and consumers. He stated, "China offers not only a market but also a complete industrial chain and innovative capabilities. I believe ' Made in China' can go global and enter higher-end markets."

Mayor of Yiwu City visited Ali's shop at the Chinese New Year

As his business steadily progressed, Ali also purchased property in China and brought his family to live with him, truly putting down roots here. He places great importance on learning about Chinese culture and encourages his children to study Chinese, understand local customs, and actively participate in community and school cultural activities. His children not only speak fluent Chinese but have also gradually become young ambassadors of cultural exchange between China and South America. Ali believes that the integration of language and culture not only deepens his family's connection to this land but also brings more understanding and trust to international cooperation and exchange.

Ali has long regarded Zhejiang as his "second hometown" and has contributed to the development of this homeland through concrete actions. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, he proactively contacted the local Red Cross to make a donation in support of the region's pandemic response efforts. He said, "I live and work here, so this is my home. In difficult times, I want to do my part for my hometown."

Beyond this, Ali has always extended a warm and open heart to help many international entrepreneurs who are new to China. From policy interpretation to market insights, from supply chain connections to cultural adaptation, he often takes the initiative to share his experiences and insights gained from doing business in China, patiently offering practical advice to help other entrepreneurs integrate into the local community. He firmly believes that "if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." True success lies not in how far one has gone alone but in whether one can bring more people along on the journey. His spirit of generosity and community service has been repeatedly recognized by local authorities and industry associations.

An important day for Ali—he signed the contract with the People's Government of Jinhua Municipality on purchasing the factory in 2022

Looking ahead, Ali plans to further leverage the manufacturing strengths and international hub status of the Jinhua-Yiwu region to continue deepening his roots in cosmetics manufacturing. He aims not only to bring "Made in China" to the world but also to share with the global community a philosophy of beauty and the spirit of Chinese craftsmanship. Ali said, "I hope that through the efforts of myself and my team, global consumers will recognize the value of Chinese quality and Chinese creativity. "From trade to manufacturing, from businessman to family man, Ali's story is a vivid testament to Zhejiang's openness, inclusiveness, and win-win development. It is also a true portrayal of countless entrepreneurs striving and moving forward on this vibrant land, writing their own remarkable chapters with action.