A business flight chartered by the local government brings 107 Indian buyers to East China's Zhejiang province on Aug 9. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A business flight chartered by the local government brought 107 Indian buyers to East China's Zhejiang province on Aug 9.

It was the second chartered flight bringing international buyers to China following a former one from Pakistan. With the local government of Yiwu working efficiently to control the recent outbreak of COVID-19, they will do business in Yiwu after taking observing epidemic prevention and control requirements.

Yiwu, known as China's largest distribution center for small commodities, has established close trade relations with India. Up to 2,000 Indian businessmen have been actively doing business in Yiwu.

In 2021, India became Yiwu's second largest export destination. Foreign trade between Yiwu and India increased by 38.49 percent year-on-year to 17.58 billion yuan ($2.61 billion). Specifically, exports rose 33.83 percent yearly to 16.76 billion yuan.

Many foreign traders expressed gratitude for the chartered flight, according to an official.

An Indian businessman who took the chartered flight said that he established a foreign trade company in Yiwu in 2003, mainly working in household appliances, building materials and daily necessities. His business was harmed by the epidemic, as he has not been able to come back to Yiwu for over two years.

He said he was excited to come back to Yiwu, which he considers his second home, expressing gratitude for the government's efforts to provide the chartered flight.