Azizullah Mir Wali, an Afghani merchant living in Yiwu, poses with his exhibits at a previous China Yiwu International Commodities (Standards) Fair. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

"Yiwu Fair was introduced to me by a friend in 2005, and now I'm recommending it to other foreign merchants," said Azizullah Mir Wali, an Afghani merchant living in Yiwu, during an interview by local media on Oct 11.

Yiwu Fair's success is one of the most satisfying aspects of Yiwu's development, according to Azizullah, who in 2008 moved his office to a building which is in walking distance to the venues at the Yiwu International Expo Center.

"Settling down in Yiwu was not my original plan," said the Afghani merchant, who now runs multiple import and export businesses in the world's top small commodity wholesale market.

Azizullah speaks highly of the various exhibits and abundant cooperation opportunities offered by the fair and the city as a whole, as his company has a wide business scope which covers daily necessities, electronic products, bags and cases, gloves, and home appliances.

"Having face-to-face talks with exhibitors, purchasers like me can save a lot on consultancy costs and suppliers can sign big orders with clients from home and abroad," added Azizullah.

Compared with the China International Import Expo in Shanghai and the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, the China Yiwu International Commodities (Standards) Fair is more foreigner-friendly, as it has a lower threshold for both exhibitors and visitors, according to Azizullah.