"I am from Ecuador, a South American country, and I have been studying and starting a business in Changsha for 24 years. This is my home!" On November 18, at the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone Changsha Area International Youth Entrepreneurship Port, Wilson smiled and talked about his entrepreneurial stories in Changsha which have been full of challenges and opportunities, as well as his deep affection with the city. 

Wilson from Ecuador. (Photo/Yi Yi, Changsha News Evening)

Yuelu Academy at the foot of Yuelu Mountain has been the starting point for Wilson's Chinese learning and cultural exploration. This place has not only given him a taste of the richness of Chinese culture, but also offered him a special feeling for the city of Changsha. During his studies, Wilson met a Changsha girl and became a foreign son-in-law to a Changsha family.
 
In 2004, Wilson graduated from Hunan University with a double degree in mechanical automation and international trade. His first job in Changsha was in the Broad Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. Over the next eight years, he was engaged in work related to machinery and international trade in a number of enterprises, and accumulated a wealth of experience. In 2010, with broad market prospects, he decided to start a business and set up a trading company to focus on trade between China and Latin America.

Wilson admitted that he chose Changsha as the starting point for starting a business due to several considerations. On the one hand, the city is highly inclusive and comfortable to live in. "I walk on the road and won’t attract special attention because of my appearance. I am as comfortable as a local." On the other hand, Changsha boasts rich industrial advantages. "There are the world-renowned Liuyang fireworks, as well as powerful construction machinery companies such as Sany and Zoomlion. The quality of engineering equipment is reliable, cost-effective, and very competitive in the international market," he noted.

He proudly explained that through his company, many high-quality Changsha construction machinery, fireworks, amusement equipment and other products have been steadily exported to the Latin American market, winning the favor of local customers.

"There are many specialty products in Latin America that are good enough to be introduced to China, such as beef from Argentina, white shrimp from Ecuador and roses," said Wilson, adding that these products have been warmly welcomed by consumers in the Chinese market, especially Ecuadorian roses, which are known as "Hermes among roses". Famous for their diverse varieties, large size, vibrant colors, and longevity, Ecuadorian roses have become the highlight of his company's import business. 
 
In 2022, Wilson imported Ecuadorian roses for the first time. With the help of the Hunan Free Trade Zone Changsha Area, and the Changsha customs and airport authorities, 50,000 roses passed through a fast-track customs clearance "green channel" and entered the domestic market, and Wilson gave a thumbs-up to Changsha's business environment.

In 2023, after being introduced by a friend, Wilson's company officially settled in the International Youth Entrepreneurship Port. "The entrepreneurship port provides us with a full range of support, from customs formalities consultation to coordinating services with enterprises, to help us better expand in domestic and foreign markets. The port serves as a warm harbor for entrepreneurs, allowing us to keep our mind on chasing our dreams," he said gratefully. At the entrepreneurship port, the company can promote products more easily, establish relationships with more high-quality partners, and inject new impetus into business growth.

Wilson is full of confidence in the construction of the Hunan Free Trade Zone Changsha Area. "The free trade zone provides enterprises with broad space for development and more opportunities. I believe it will attract more and more enterprises to settle in and promote the further development of Changsha's economy," said Wilson. He firmly stated that he will continue to take root in Changsha, continue to expand China-Latin America trade business, and contribute to advancing economic and cultural exchanges between the two places.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Changsha Evening News