UCLG ASPAC and Yiwu City are getting ready to welcome local government and city representatives to the 9th UCLG ASPAC Congress. Eyeing for “Advancing Balanced Economic Development for Asia and the Pacific,” UCLG ASPAC and Yiwu are currently developing a series of favourable and encouraging sessions for cities and local governments to expedite their efforts to recover stronger from the pandemic. Check out the details of why you should come to Yiwu and join us at the 9th UCLG ASPAC Congress.
Learn and Link with Yiwu, Where Economic Miracle Happens
Yiwu has been known for its miraculous transformation; from one of the rural counties in Zhejiang Province into one of the richest cities in China. Trade has always been integrated into Yiwu. And it has greatly evolved from people bartering candies and sugar for chicken feathers, to currently the world’s largest consumer goods wholesale market.
The establishment of the Hu Qing Men market by the local administrator opened the door for tremendous growth. Its popularity grew by leaps and bounds in the next decades. The city’s GDP per capita soared, from RMB235 (US$36) in 1978 to RMB126,707 (US$19,932) in 2014 (China: An International Journal Vol.14, Number 3). Even with the pandemic striking, sales recorded 85% of artificial Christmas trees (a staggering 68 million trees) came from China and a significant number of them from Yiwu, despite reports mentioning operational costs at Yiwu market had risen by 20%-30% and exports and sales had fallen around 30% (outlookindia.com).
Industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and the role of local government have been pointed out as major factors.
What you can expect from the Congress
| Industrial Upgrading | Enhancing the business environment for local economic development | |
| Rural Revitalisation | Harnessing the potential of the rural | |
| Plenary Session | Youth Entrepreneurship | Investing in the human capital of the youth |
| Child-Friendliness | Shaping communities for a child-friendly future | |
| Trade Promotion | Facilitating B2B Post-COVID |
| Trade and Business Matchmaking Event |
| Innovation Corner |
| Networking Event |
| Exhibition |
The 9th UCLG ASPAC Congress aims at gearing up cities and local governments to advance their economic recovery and development. Thus, participating cities and local governments and various other urban stakeholders will have great exposure to all things that have made Yiwu experience economic development, and link up with them and other cities sharing similar missions.
UCLG ASPAC will also hold the election for its Governing Body for the period 2023-2025. The whole agenda and programme in detail are being finalised. Stay tuned to our updates!
Sources: various sources
Photo: ejet.com
