Feature: Afghan carpet merchant eyes good business prospects at CIIE

SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hanging carpets with exotic, delicate patterns like blossoming flowers and stretching tendrils, Ali Faiz, a 27-year-old carpet merchant from Afghanistan, wrapped up his last preparations for the fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which opened Thursday night.

Faiz had long been looking forward to the expo held annually in Shanghai. "When I bring the carpets here, I also bring the hope of people in my hometown with me," he said in fluent Chinese.

Last year, he attended the CIIE for the first time, introducing his products to Chinese consumers. Not only had his products attracted lots of buyers, but he also got a chance to display and sell his products in the Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub, next to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), where the CIIE took place.

All these boost him to make up his mind to continue his participation in the expo.

However, it was anything but easy for him to participate in this year's CIIE, and the shipment of the exhibits to Shanghai also went through difficulties, but he never wavered in his determination.

"It is with great responsibilities that I am here this year." He added the carpets he sells come from more than a dozen towns in central and northern Afghanistan. Therefore, the CIIE was crucial to the livelihoods of many carpet-weaving families there.

To better cater to the Chinese consumers, they came up with tailor-made solutions this year. Among all the exhibits in the booth, there were also some designed by him and handmade as a mark of friendship for China.

"Personally speaking, I have studied and worked in China for seven years and the country has offered me educational and entrepreneurial opportunities," he said.

Faiz said the name of his company is "BRARO" and means "brothers," and just as the name indicates, he strives to seek brotherhood and cooperation in China.

"I have received bunches of attention and warmth at the CIIE and in China," Faiz said.

He also hoped that the bilateral trade between Afghanistan and China could be further promoted, and more specialty products from Afghanistan exported to China.