/ Kristiansand companies invest in Qingdao
China's adventurous growth in recent decades has ensured an ever-increasing middle class - approaching 500 million. That means a whole new set of opportunities for companies betting on the consumer market with strong brands.
Our local companies, NextSport with Gullkorn Design and Beckmann, were among the Norwegian companies that participated in the Qingdao International Expo this weekend. They both report a very good reception of their products by potential Chinese customers and partners. Eva Liang, representing Beckmann backpacks, describes the Qingdao trade fair as a great success, where the interest in Beckmann products far exceeded her expectations. She has great faith in Qingdao as an interesting market for the future.
Eva Liang is supported by Gullkorn Design's representative for the Chinese market, Zhao Meng, who from his place at the Norwegian stand emphasizes that the visit to Qingdao was an important event where he confirmed the interest in Gullkorn Design's collections in China. Both Kristiansand companies' representatives are clear that the visit this time has confirmed great opportunities for their high quality products in the high-end market in China.
Qingdao is a port city on the east coast, roughly midway between Beijing and Shanghai, with more than seven million inhabitants.
