Bahamian firms interested in entering the Chinese market ought to approach this issue with significant consideration and should proceed only after full and comprehensive research.
While the Chinese market is huge and has many niche markets which would welcome specialty Bahamian products, there are considerable barriers to entry, and overcoming these can be a very expensive process. One key requirement is that all imported pre-packaged foods must be labelled in both English and Mandarin (simplified Mandarin as used in mainland China).
As a first step interested businesses may wish to consult with the website for the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ)www.aqsiq.gov.cn. This agency has responsibility for approving all foodstuffs imported in China and this site will provide information on the process to have foods approved for import. This can be a very lengthy and expensive process and, depending on the product, may take years even when you have a local importer/business partner.
Businesses may also wish to visit the site of the American Chamber of Commerce in China which has a great deal of information on the Chinese market www.amchamchina.org including some of the challenges involved in entering this market.
Before entering into partnerships with a Chinese company, Bahamian businesses should always verify the legitimacy of that company, i.e. ensuring that the partner is duly incorporated and registered with the Chinese government, and ensuring that the partner is licensed to conduct business in a particular field, if required by Chinese law.
Assistance in determining the bona fides of Chinese companies can be sought via a number of State agencies, a few of which are listed below.
The Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM):http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/
China Commodity Net (CCN):http://ccne.mofcom.gov.cn/
(A listing created to facilitate international trade and co-operation by listing reputable Chinese companies and their specific expertise. The CCN also provides sourcing services, credit services and business invitation.)
World Importers Net (WIN):http://win.mofcom.gov.cn/en/index.asp
China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair):http://www.cantonfair.org.cn
(One of the largest trade fairs held in China, the Canton fair takes place every Spring and Fall. Businesses can use the fair as an opportunity to evaluate some of the major local and international enterprises in the Chinese market)
China Foreign Trade Enterprises Top 500:http://top500.ec.com.cn/
(A listing created by the MOFCOM that ranks top enterprises within specific industries.)