ABIDJAN, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- From dried mangoes to hibiscus powder, two women entrepreneurs from Cote d'Ivoire took their products to the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is currently underway in Shanghai, hoping to expand their businesses and reach new markets.
Nathalie Cahi discovered the commercial potential of dried fruit through a training session. She ventured into the business of processing fruit and later set up her own company 2Saisons, which produces dried mangoes and pineapples, as well as other dried fruits and vegetables. It is also exploring formulations suitable for children and infants.
"Customers buy our products because they are tasty and healthy, with no added sugar or preservatives," Cahi said.
For Cahi, the CIIE offers an opportunity to take her business to the next stage. Beyond promoting her products, she hopes to connect with Chinese suppliers of equipment and packaging materials to upgrade her production capabilities and reach a broader market.
"I know there are many suppliers in China for our business. I would like to see what they can offer us so that we can make our production more self-sufficient," she said.
Asnath Adje, founder of the Lya Bissap brand, brought her hibiscus-based products to Shanghai. Hibiscus is traditionally consumed as a beverage in Cote d'Ivoire and other African countries.
In 2010, while completing her university studies, Adje received support from a local organization in the Ivorian capital of Yamoussoukro to provide hibiscus-based products to patients, which inspired her to explore new ways of processing the plant and expanding its market potential.
She subsequently spent a year organizing free tasting sessions to introduce consumers to different hibiscus-based products, in the hope that she could transform the familiar traditional ingredient into new product forms.
Adje hopes to raise the international profile of Ivorian hibiscus and expand its export markets. At the CIIE, she plans to showcase a range of hibiscus products, including extra-fine powder and concentrate. The products could find applications in the food-processing and cosmetics industries.
For her, the CIIE offers an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Chinese buyers' needs, connect with potential business partners and pave the way for her products to enter the Chinese market.
The ambitions of the two entrepreneurs reflect Cote d'Ivoire's growing efforts to expand local agricultural processing and diversify exports in recent years.
The country is among the world's leading producers of cocoa, cashew nuts and rubber. As processing capacity continues to improve, local enterprises are trying to transform more agricultural products into higher-value-added goods and further expand into overseas markets.
Rami Kone, head of the commercial events department at Agence Cote d'Ivoire Export, said this was the first time Cote d'Ivoire had participated in the CIIE with an officially organized delegation, and participating companies focus on processed products from key value chains, such as cocoa, coffee, cashew nuts and kola nuts.
"For us, every product should tell the story of Ivorian excellence," Kone said, describing the expo as an opportunity to promote the country's expertise and the "Made in Cote d'Ivoire" brand. ■
