Yiwu Megamarket--The Inside Stories of the Outsiders 
Instead of managing a company with 3 or 4 employees like Khalid Ali, Rubina Afzal and her husband set up an office-cum-home in tandem in Yiwu. It is a much more often seen business mode here-two brothers, father and son or husband and wife, rent an apartment, search the market, and export the products. You can surely strike gold here in that Yiwu is really a land of opportunity open to anyone who believes they can do so.
Rubi has a doctor鈥檚 degree in herbs and medicines, but deep down she has always preferred commerce. The Palestinian couple鈥檚 stay in China started in Guangzhou, which according to Rubi will probably end in Yiwu. Their products include cosmetics, shoes and jewelry.
Every Friday, Afzal, as a male Muslim, will head here, after seeking and purchasing things in the markets as a weekly routine, together with his wife.
In Yiwu all those with religious beliefs and convictions can find a way to express themselves. Churches and mosques intersperse streets, which naturally and necessarily stems from the mixing of people of diverse races and nationalites.
Many local young girls work as secretaries or translators for foreign businessmen on a flexible basis.
In Yiwu, you can鈥檛 often see the hustle and bustle in the markets as you would maybe expect, with a exception of course of China Yiwu International Commodities Fair held during the year. The markets act more as showcases for the convenience of the businessmen picking and choosing. Trade mostly materializes over the phone or on the Internet behind closed doors. It is easy and pleasant for local businessmen in such a small city to pay home visits. For the meantime, the Ukraine girl in the neighborhood is just like a daughter to them.
Being a businesswoman in Yiwu can be double-edged: fulfilling and enjoyable.
Rubi distinguishes herself from common Pakistani women by being involved in business. She is now six-month pregnant and plans to bring the baby up here. But now, the Ukraine girl in the neighborhood is sweet as an angle to the couple.
Morning exercise is an everyday curtain-raiser for
Choi Byung Won, whether in Yiwu or back home in South Korea.
He took a lease on a four-storey building as a factory to produce accessories targeted at the American market. About 150 locals , in addition to three South Koreans , are under his employment.
He was assigned to Yiwu from the home office based in Seoul, where he is Vice President. Their research and development center is located there, but the producing center is situated in Yiwu owing to the concentration of all raw material providers and a good transport service. These are the two main factors which helped make up their mind to steadily branch out here.
In this subsidiary company, the management is comprised of 3 South Koreans and other Chinese proficient in the Korean language.
His wife and two adult children are living in South Korea.
A book-reader, a golf-player and a cello-lover he shares his own time beyond his work. Interestingly, his life and his work are equated as well as differentiated.
He can practice his skill anytime on the simple and ready golf links in his office and on the patio of his apartment.
This South Korean man鈥 spiritual power unknowingly trickles from his peaceful cello-playing. Yiwu is an ideal platform for goods bought and sold here. Most foreign businessmen here for the time being are choosing not to make investments here. But Mr. Choi is an exception. He chairs the Korean business society in Yiwu. And he is confident in this city.
Almost every evening, Mr. Choi will play indoor golf in company of some resident South Korean businessmen. Wherever they go, Koreans carry their national trait--togetherness by being closely knitted.
25-year-old Frenchman Yann appriates the local facilities such as the magnificent stadium and endless greens here in Yiwu. He gave up work in a law firm back in Paris to operate a business similar to an one-man band in Yiwu around six months ago. Two months later, his girlfriend joined him. His parents tend the shop taking orders from French customers and showcasing commodities Yann himself recommends from Yiwu.
That is why Yann often sends information about products by express delivery. Yiwu markets will never disappoint him and his customers.
