Bay of Plenty and South Waikato Businesses Invited to Join Trade Delegation to Jiangxi, China
Eastern Bridge is coordinating a business delegation to Jiangxi Province, China, in September 2026. Businesses from the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato are invited to register their expression of interest — no commitment required at this stage.
Businesses from across the Bay of Plenty region and South Waikato District are being invited to express early interest in participating in a business delegation to Jiangxi Province, China, in September 2026.
The proposed delegation is designed to help New Zealand businesses explore opportunities in one of China's fastest-growing regional markets while leveraging the existing sister-province relationship between the Bay of Plenty and Jiangxi Province, as well as South Waikato District's established city partnership within the province.
The initiative is being coordinated by Eastern Bridge Limited, which has been actively involved in managing and strengthening relationships between New Zealand communities and partners in Jiangxi for over a decade.
A Gateway to One of China's Major Regional Markets
Jiangxi Province sits in central China and forms part of the rapidly developing Yangtze River Economic Belt — one of the most important economic corridors in the country. Over the past decade, Jiangxi has experienced strong economic growth, and rising consumer incomes are driving strong demand for imported products perceived as safe, premium, and internationally trusted.
"For small and medium-sized businesses, the Jiangxi market offers the advantage of large population scale without the extreme competition and costs associated with China's largest coastal cities."
New Zealand products enjoy an excellent reputation among Chinese consumers, particularly in dairy, food products, health and nutritional products, skin care, and lifestyle goods.
Leveraging the Bay of Plenty – Jiangxi Relationship
The proposed delegation builds on the long-standing sister province relationship between the Bay of Plenty and Jiangxi Province. This relationship provides participating businesses with access to networks that are often difficult to establish independently, including connections with provincial and city government agencies, commercial distributors, and digital commerce platforms.
Through these relationships, businesses joining the delegation will have the opportunity to meet directly with potential partners and decision-makers who are actively seeking international products and suppliers.
What to Expect from the Delegation
The September 2026 programme will include a range of activities designed to provide practical insights into the Chinese market while facilitating direct business engagement.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Business Matching Events | Structured sessions with importers, distributors, retail procurement managers, and e-commerce platforms — tailored to each participating company. |
| Product Promotion | Opportunities to showcase products at events organised for local buyers, retailers, and media — introducing NZ brands directly to potential customers and partners. |
| Free Trade Zone Visits | Visits to Chinese Free Trade Zones covering cross-border sales models, logistics, bonded storage, digital marketing, and regulatory requirements. |
Estimated Costs & Inclusions
The estimated cost for participating in the delegation is expected to be between NZD $4,500 and $5,000 per person. Final programme details and pricing will be confirmed once initial interest levels are known. This cost is expected to cover international return airfares, accommodation, ground transport within Jiangxi, business matchmaking events, product promotion event attendance, Free Trade Zone visits, and the official welcome banquet.
Register Your Expression of Interest
At this stage, businesses are not being asked to commit to participation. Registering your expression of interest helps organisers understand which businesses may wish to attend, what products or services they wish to promote, and what types of business partners they hope to meet. To register or for more information, please contact Eastern Bridge directly.