Hunan Merchants Strengthen Overseas Expansion, Pursuing Dreams in Cambodia—— The Rise of Cambodia Huaxiang International Economic Zone
Hunan merchants' strength gathers in Kampuchea, opening up new horizons at Vietnamese ports.
In the surging tide of economic globalization, Hunan merchants, with their keen insight and tenacious willpower, have brought advanced production technologies, valuable management experience and profound network resources abroad to venture into foreign lands and actively expand their overseas territory. These Hunan merchants have inherited the character traits of their ancestors, such as courage, resourcefulness, kindness and a harmonious approach to dealing with others, and have made their businesses thrive in foreign countries. In Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country, Huang Liping, an outstanding representative of Hunan merchants who came from the mountains of Shuangfeng County, Hunan, has meticulously built a shining economic pearl of hope and opportunity over eight years - the Cambodia Huaxiang International Economic Zone, which is the first economic zone founded by Hunan people in Cambodia. The successful operation of the zone will bring huge wealth to Cambodia and benefit society and people's livelihood.
Seize opportunities and act in accordance with the trend.
Cambodia, a country of important strategic significance in Southeast Asia, is like a powerful giant ship moving forward on the course of economic development. Cambodia's rich natural resources are like a treasure waiting to be explored by the world, containing unlimited business opportunities. It has been proven that the country is rich in important natural resources such as rubies and sapphires, phosphate ores, sulfur, white kaolin and rock salt, which are full of huge wealth. With a total population of 17.25 million and an average age of 27, the population structure provides a continuous driving force for sustainable economic development. At the same time, the Cambodian government has actively promoted economic diversification, introduced a series of preferential policies and opened its arms to global investors. The "New Investment Law" passed in October 2021 has simplified investment procedures, giving domestic and foreign investors a "reassurance" to invest in Cambodia.
Promoted by the Chinese government's "the Belt and Road" initiative and Cambodia's "Pentagonal Strategy", economic and trade cooperation between China and Cambodia has become increasingly close. As a developing country, Cambodia has abundant human resources and a broad market space. With the rise of domestic labor costs, labor-intensive industries in some relatively developed economies are bound to shift to developing countries, and overseas investment and factory construction will inevitably require a lot of land resources. With the personality of "being able to endure hardships, being tenacious and patient" and the spirit of "daring to be the first in the world and being brave to be a leader", Chairman Huang Liping敏锐ly captured this business opportunity. Chairman Huang Liping knows well that under the excellent situation of the ever-lasting friendship between China and Cambodia, Cambodia will be an ideal place for Hunan enterprises to go global. Under his farsighted planning, a business plan that can provide a broad stage for Chinese mainland enterprises to go abroad and incubate foreign bases for enterprises from other countries has begun to write a new chapter.
Establish oneself in the world with character, and start a business with diligence.
Chairman Huang Liping came to Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the end of 2017 to start a business. The eight years have been extraordinary with ups and downs. At that time, he was just an ordinary worker in a construction unit, riding a second-hand motorcycle to and from the construction site and his rented house every day. The weather in Cambodia is very hot, with the scorching sun shining. If you put an egg on the construction site, it can be "cooked" in a minute. To save money, Huang Liping only ate simple steamed stuffed buns and steamed bread for each meal, swallowing the food with mineral water. Later, as the company's business expanded, Huang Liping was appointed as the project leader. To successfully sign the project, he rode a motorcycle 150 kilometers away to negotiate business with partners. Gradually, his excellent ability was recognized by customers, and a good reputation was established in the industry. When the opportunity matured, he led a group of "brothers" to start their own business independently.
Chairman Huang Liping values and cherishes talents and appoints people on their merits. He often says, "If a team wants to grow bigger, it must gather a group of wise and capable talents. The leader of the team should have a broad mind and treat virtuous people with courtesy, so as to get more help." To retain talents, he did not hesitate to transfer shares to provide impetus for the young talents of Huaxiang International Media Company to develop their careers. Chairman Huang Liping is calm in handling affairs, has great ambition, but speaks humorously, which makes people think deeply about the wisdom in it. "Never do what you think is right" is one of Chairman Huang Liping's many "golden sentences". In his view, due to different positions and perspectives, people may draw different conclusions on the same thing. If one is too persistent in one's own views and takes actions rashly without consulting with others, it will hinder the development of the team.
Farsighted and proceeding in an orderly way.
To ensure the successful establishment of Huaxiang International Economic Zone, Chairman Huang Liping launched in-depth and detailed preliminary preparations. He traveled to various parts of Cambodia, conducting a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the local geographical environment, transportation conditions, labor resources and market potential like an archaeologist. Until they found that piece of land carrying hope - Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia. The reasons for choosing to establish the economic zone here are as follows: first, affected by policies, labor-intensive industries in Phnom Penh tend to spill over and spread, and the urban functions of the capital will be more concentrated; second, it is close to the Vietnamese port, which can not only be supported by the local surplus labor in Svay Rieng Province, but also attract many labor forces from neighboring Vietnam; third, the land price in Svay Rieng Province is relatively low, which is convenient for large-scale purchase.
When planning the development blueprint of the zone, Chairman Huang Liping fully drew on the successful experience of other economic zones at home and abroad, and combined with the actual situation of Cambodia to carefully formulate scientific and reasonable development plans and industrial positioning. The long-term planned area of Cambodia Huaxiang International Economic Zone is as large as 1,500 hectares, equivalent to 22,500 mu, with a very large volume. To avoid chaotic construction and production in the zone, Chairman Huang Liping learned from the lessons of the failure of other zones and made the functional divisions clear. Each division operates independently and cooperates with each other. In Chairman Huang Liping's design blueprint, the zone will be built into industrial production areas, warehousing and logistics areas, commercial service areas, living supporting areas, scientific research and innovation areas, education and cultural areas, etc. After all construction is completed, it will be like a small economic city with complete functions, which can meet the needs of different types of enterprises to settle in.
Infrastructure construction is the foundation for the development of the zone. High starting point planning, high standard requirements and high energy input are the eternal pursuit of Huaxiang International Economic Zone. Under the command of Chairman Huang Liping, Xinxiang Construction (International) Construction Co., Ltd. under Huaxiang International Group is committed to building a complete infrastructure system including power supply, communication network and road transportation. Chairman Huang Liping knows well that only by laying a solid foundation of hardware facilities can it support the vigorous development of the zone in the future. At present, projects such as resource-rich groundwater and stable water supply system, gigabit optical fiber with full network coverage, high-standard sewage treatment system that has passed safety inspection, extensive high-grade park road network, 26MW dedicated power line with dual-circuit power supply guarantee, and intelligent public fire protection system have all been completed, becoming the core hardware for Huaxiang International Economic Zone to attract enterprises to settle in.
Solid construction, breaking through difficulties and achieving transformation.
In fact, the construction of Huaxiang International Economic Zone has not been smooth sailing. Hunan workers and Cambodian workers have worked together, learned from each other's strengths, and carried forward the spirit of hard work and perseverance in the construction process, like warriors climbing dangerous peaks, overcoming many difficulties and challenges. From site leveling to factory building, from infrastructure laying to foreign investment promotion and operation, every detail embodies the efforts and sweat of Huaxiang people. "We are also afraid of the heat, but Chairman Huang Liping told us that when treating guests to dinner, we must cook the dishes well and set the tables and chairs properly. Sincerity alone is not enough. Only when these conditions are in place can guests be willing to come to the banquet at home," said a worker who was still busy at the construction site at 12 noon, constantly wiping sweat with a smile. It is this optimism of forging ahead bravely that promotes the smooth progress of the construction project.
After years of unremitting efforts, Cambodia Huaxiang International Economic Zone has gradually got on the right track, like a flower blooming in the tropical rainforest, attracting many visitors. Attracted by the preferential policies of Huaxiang International Economic Zone, more than 40 enterprises have settled in so far. These enterprises cover manufacturing, processing, trade and other fields, forming a good industrial cluster effect. In the zone, enterprises cooperate with each other and share resources, which jointly promotes the rapid development of the zone's economy, creates a large number of employment opportunities for the local area, and promotes the economic and social development of Cambodia. "I feel very comfortable working here. The salary offered by the factory is very good. I can support my wife and children with this salary and become the pride of the village," said Biduoning (transliterated), a Cambodian worker working in Yaguang (Cambodia) Co., Ltd.
Significant benefits and mutually beneficial win-win results.
The establishment of Cambodia Huaxiang International Economic Zone is like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples and bringing significant economic benefits, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results for all parties.
For the settled enterprises, the zone provides an excellent production and operation environment and preferential policy support, like a timely rain, reducing the investment cost and operational risks of enterprises, and improving their economic efficiency and market competitiveness. According to the person in charge of Cambodia Kaiyue Technology Co., Ltd., before choosing Huaxiang International Economic Zone, the company also inspected many economic zones, but none of them offered as convenient conditions as Huaxiang. "Huaxiang International Economic Zone has done a better job in various services to attract us enterprises to settle in, which is very attractive. It's like a real estate developer who not only builds the house well, but also fully decorates it, achieving a real 'move-in ready' situation. For non-Cambodian enterprises, this saves us a lot of costs," the person in charge added.
For Cambodia, the construction of the economic zone has not only increased fiscal revenue, but also promoted the optimization and upgrading of the local industrial structure and the prosperity of the regional economy. The settlement of a large number of enterprises has also driven the development of related industries such as commerce and service industry in the surrounding areas, forming a good economic cycle. Although the zone is 30 kilometers away from Bavet City, the employees of the enterprises that have settled in the park are not worried about daily shopping. According to Chairman Huang Liping's plan, the zone will soon open large supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and other venues, removing many concerns of enterprise employees. The workers are excited at the thought that when all the development is completed in the future, it will become a shining Huaxiang City in Cambodia. They are not only the builders of the zone, but also important contributors to the rise of Huaxiang City, and they are proud of this honor.
For Hunan, the economic zone has become an important platform to promote Hunan enterprises to "go global" and a bridgehead for connecting with Hunan. It has strengthened economic ties and in-depth cooperation between Hunan and Cambodia, enhanced Hunan's economic influence in Southeast Asia, and injected new impetus into the export-oriented development of Hunan's economy. Due to his extraordinary influence, Chairman Huang Liping also serves as Executive Vice President of Hunan Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Secretary General of the Liaison Office between ASEAN Ten Countries and Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce, and Vice President of Hunan Overseas Chambers of Commerce, playing an important bridge role in the interaction between Hunan chambers of commerce and overseas chambers of commerce. "Huang Liping is an excellent Hunan native from the former residence of Zeng Guofan. The beautiful land in central Hunan has endowed Chairman Huang Liping with the character traits of courage to take responsibility, dare to venture and be good at strategy, which is an important reason for Hunan merchants to succeed in their overseas endeavors," commented Yang Zhenhua, Executive Vice President of Cambodia Hunan General Chamber of Commerce.
Exchange and integration, enhancing friendship.
The construction and development of Huaxiang International Economic Zone not only promotes economic cooperation, but also becomes an important carrier for cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia. In the zone, Chinese and Cambodian employees will work and live together, understand and respect each other's cultural customs like a family, which will surely enhance the friendship and trust between the two peoples. In Huang Liping's long-term plan, he will establish a Cambodia-China Cultural Exchange Center in the zone, and regularly hold high-end cultural activities such as celebrity calligraphy and painting exhibitions, cultural salons, and music and dance performances, so that the people of Cambodia and China can deeply understand each other's history and culture, hold high the great banner of everlasting Cambodia-China friendship, and add luster to the friendly exchanges between the two peoples. On this basis, cultures from other countries such as Vietnam and Laos will be integrated to let diverse cultures shine here.
In the operation process, Huaxiang International Economic Zone will actively fulfill its social responsibilities and participate in public welfare undertakings in the local area and even the whole of Cambodia. They plan to build schools and hospitals to improve local education and medical conditions, and have built a deep emotional bridge between the people of China and Cambodia through practical actions, making positive contributions to the long-term stable development of China-Cambodia friendly relations. "Wealth comes from the people and will be used for the people. I am very grateful to this magical land of Cambodia, which has changed my fate. Now, I will learn from the famous social philanthropists in Cambodia and China, and return benefits to the people through practical actions," In Chairman Huang Liping's view, education and medical care in Cambodia are key areas that need to be injected with charitable forces. Most of the children and patients receiving education and medical treatment are vulnerable groups and should receive love and assistance, which is the responsibility of entrepreneurs.
Looking forward to the future, the prospects are broad.
As the first economic zone founded by Hunan merchants in Cambodia, Cambodia Huaxiang International Economic Zone has achieved remarkable results, but its development potential is still huge, like a rising star. With the formal entry into force of RCEP and the deepening of economic and trade cooperation between China and Cambodia, Huaxiang International Economic Zone has broader development space and faces more extraordinary opportunities for leapfrog development. In terms of transportation, the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway will be completed and opened to traffic in 2027, reducing the driving time from Phnom Penh to Bavet from 3 hours to 1 hour. The official operation of Techo International Airport will enable Cambodia's annual air transport capacity to reach 50 million passengers, which provides unique conditions for the development of Huaxiang International Economic Zone.
In the future, Huaxiang International Economic Zone will continue to adhere to the development concept of openness, innovation, cooperation and win-win, further improve infrastructure construction, enhance service levels, optimize the business environment, and attract more high-quality enterprises to settle in. Chairman Huang Liping said that the management of Huaxiang International Economic Zone has a high vision, focuses on the overall situation of global economic development, makes timely adjustments to economic and trade strategies, and strives to build the zone into a model of China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation, an economically influential zone in Southeast Asia, and an important part of the Pan-East Asian economic circle, so as to make greater contributions to promoting the economic and social development of China and Cambodia and the continuous development of friendly relations.
Responding to the call of the Chinese government's "the Belt and Road" initiative and making the "enterprise going global" strategy take root, the outstanding representative of Hunan merchants, Chairman Huang Liping, a Hunan guy from the mountains of Shuangfeng County, Loudi City, founded Huaxiang International Economic Zone in Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia with the courage to break new ground, the boldness to be the first, and the ability to strategize. It is a vivid practice and powerful testimony of the spirit of Hunan merchants overseas. The seedling of Huaxiang International Economic Zone has taken root and grown on the land of Cambodia, and will surely become a towering tree reaching into the sky one day. The Huaxiang people who continue the legend will also write more wonderful chapters for the development of Hunan's economy and China-Cambodia friendly cooperation!