By Seleoe Nonyane
The China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has opened more doors for a local company, JMM Beekeeping.
Sr Julia ‘Masina Mafike, a nun of the Handmaids of Christ the Priest, is the owner of JMM Beekeeping which was chosen by Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) to participate in this year’s Expo in China for being a loyal client and running an outstanding business.
The four-day show was held earlier this month in the Chinese city of Changsha.
JMM Beekeeping produces and sells organic honey, artemisia, eucalyptus and wine products, among others.
Its products are currently sold as far afield as Eswatini and other SADC countries.
Sr Julia told this publication this week she was grateful to SLB for choosing her to showcase her products in China as that has broadened her market after securing clients in the east Asian nation.
She confessed that when she went to the expo, she had not expected to sell the products but to just showcase them. But to her surprise, she found clients who wanted to purchase her products and she made more M5000 from selling her honey products in China.
Sr Julia said the show was fruitful and she will be shipping out 100 honey and 100 wine units to China in the next few months.
“The expo opened doors for the business not only internationally but even in the country as well,” she noted.
“After the trip, I am receiving a lot of recognition in the country and I will forever be grateful to Standard Lesotho Bank for putting my business up there with the best,” she added.
According to China Global Television Network, this year’s expo achieved several unprecedented milestones. A total of 120 projects were signed, amounting to $10.3 billion in value. Ninety-nine cooperation projects were unveiled, totalling $8.7 billion.
The network says 11 African countries contributed to these numbers by launching 74 projects, which marks the highest count to date.
The exhibition showcased nearly 1,600 kinds of commodities from 29 African countries, representing a remarkable 166-percent increase compared to the previous expo.
The event witnessed active participation with some 1,500 exhibitors, indicating a 70 percent increase from the previous session.
The presence of 9,000 buyers and professional visitors further enhanced the bustling atmosphere, and the overall visitor count surpassed 100,000.
The expo played a significant role in deepening cooperation between China and Africa, resulting in remarkable achievements for both sides.
In a subsequent statement, Standard Lesotho Bank indicated that with its strong presence in Lesotho’s banking sector, it is committed to facilitating financial transactions and promoting investment opportunities between China and Lesotho. “The bank understands the importance of fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations, and its participation in CAETE is a testament to the bank’s dedication to this cause” the statement reads.
