XI’AN, China — Filipino businessman are urged to explore opportunities in Tang West Market here, the original site of the starting point of the ancient network of trade routes called ‘Silk Road’.
Hu Ji, consultant of Tang West Market Cultural Industry Investment Group Co., Ltd., said in an interview that the Tang West Market Group (TWMG) takes part in reviving the Silk Road by inviting foreign entrepreneurs to open their shops in Tang West Market.
Hu added that the group invites Filipino restaurant owners to put up their business in Tang West Market, particularly bringing authentic Filipino cuisine in Xi’An and take advantage of the big population and growing number of tourists in the city.
The Philippines can also bring its best products here and put up shops in Tang West Market, he said.
“Other countries are welcome here. You are welcome to open [business] here,” Hu said in Chinese, who is also the director for Silk Road Specialized Committee of the Institute of Dunhuang and professor at Turpan Studies of China.
He added that TWMG chairman Lu Jianzhong envisions the Tang West Market as a commercial district that revives the trade activities in the West Market during the Tang Dynasty while promoting culture, living its philosophy that ‘culture creates value and industry realizes dreams”.
Land Silk Road started in Xi’An, formerly known as Chang’an, the capital of China during the Tang Dynasty. It has two major areas for trade, the East and the West markets.
Hu added that East Market served domestic government officials, while the West Market was for international trade.
The Tang dynasty is considered as China’s golden age of cosmopolitan culture; thanks to foreign traders who came to China, bringing in not just their commodities but also culture.
Foreign merchants, particularly those who came from the Middle East and Europe, were doing business then in the West Market — the starting point of “land Silk Road”, Hu said.
He added that foreign merchants opened more than 200 shops in the West Market during the Tang Dynasty which was also the most prosperous Chinese dynasty, as it opened the country to global trade and foreign merchants.
Reviving the Silk Road
As TWMG wants to revive the vibrant commercial activities in the West Market during the Tang Dynasty, the firm is promoting the Tang West Market as destination for foreign entrepreneurs, including Filipino businesses.
Hu said TMWG will provide assistance to foreign businessmen in doing business in Tang West Market, such as extending loans and other financing facilities for foreign businesses as well as giving free furnishing for restaurants.
Foreign entrepreneurs can also hold 100-percent ownership of their business in Tang West Market, he added.
TWMG, he said, does not only aim to revive the commercial activities in the starting point of Silk Road, but also to contribute in strengthening ties with countries involved in the Silk Road network during the past era.
TMWG chief Lu is also the chairman of Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC). The organization said SRCIC is now partnering with more than 70 countries, including the Philippines, in promoting trade and investments in the modern Silk Road. (/PNA)
