Face｜Young Yemeni entrepreneur believes China is best place for business

Rashad Ali, a 28-year-old Yemeni entrepreneur, recently appeared at the 11th China-Arab Business Conference and 9th Investment Seminar of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Haikou, Hainan, with his experience in managing import and export trade between China and Arab countries in the Middle East. In an interview with China Youth Daily, Ali talked about the current U.S. tariff extortion against China, saying, "we are here for support with China".

This year marks Ali's 10th year of development with roots in China. The import-export company he is currently managing, Crossroad of Civilization Gifts L.L.C., is responsible for linking China with the Arab countries in various sectors, such as clean energy. The company also deals with cars and is also involved in related sectors such as agriculture and healthcare, as well as importing coffee and honey from Yemen.

Rashad Ali attended the 11th China-Arab Business Conference and 9th Investment Seminar of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Haikou, Hainan. Photo by Dai Yao

In Arab countries like Yemen, the culture of young entrepreneurship is very popular. If you go to the Arab countries, you will find a lot of mature businessmen, but they are still young. Ali said: "when we are young in business, we can get experience from different big businessmen and different big companies. Instead of working for a company, we start our own business. You also get more experience and more adventure because the government also supports people to do this kind of business".

He's been an entrepreneur since the age of 17. He moved to China after developing his business in Italy, Japan and Kazakhstan. Ali explained that thanks to China's convenient and open policy environment, companies from Arab countries have entered the Chinese market, and China and Arabia have achieved mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.

Ali continues to seek new investments in China and is looking for various agents from China to Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Now many Arab countries are coming to China because it is the easiest and best way to develop. Ali said both China and Arab countries have great potential for development, and he believed that the two sides will have more successful cooperation.

Coming to Hainan, Ali paid attention to the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port, "this is a good idea to attract various investment companies from all over the world". Hainan Free Trade Port will begin independent customs operations this year and further upgrade its preferential tax policies. With the level of customs clearance facilitation further improved, Hainan Free Trade Port shore business environment further optimized, Ali believed it will make it easier for all companies who want to invest.

It may not be possible to find a better policy than China's policy of opening up, because China has many facilities and platforms that are safe and reliable for foreign businessmen to come here to market, develop and invest, said Ali, "so China is definitely number one in terms of openness for this sector". (By Ma Ziqian and Dai Yao/China Youth Daily)

来源：中国青年报客户端