A total of 204 foreign buyers from 34 countries and regions pose before entering the International Trade Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: yiwuwaishi]

"We hope the trip will be worth it, as it took us extra time and energy to come here during the coronavirus outbreak," said a spokesperson for a group of 204 foreign businessmen who took a chartered flight from Guangzhou, Guangdong province to Yiwu, Zhejiang province on March 27. 

The group was on a three-day purchasing trip at the Yiwu International Trade Market, which, with 75,000 booths and a business area of 5.5 million square meters, is the center of the world's largest trading hub for small commodities. 

The bustling market was temporarily closed due to the outbreak. Now, about 95 percent of stalls in the market have reopened to customers thanks to effective epidemic prevention measures.

Buyers and sellers with authorized QR codes and valid ID cards can enter the market after having their temperature taken and as long as they are wearing masks.

Moroccan businessman Ibrahim has been living in Shenzhen, Guangdong province for years, and he is very excited about coming to Yiwu.

"Yiwu is for the small commodity industry what Milan is for the fashion industry. I hope to gauge the situation and maximize profits, plain and simple," said Ibrahim.

This is the second group of foreign buyers to come to Yiwu since 245 businessmen from 41 countries and regions took a chartered flight to the city on March 16.

Foreign buyers talk business in Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, on March 27. [Photo/WeChat account: yiwuwaishi]

According to the commerce bureau of Yiwu, the municipal government has introduced multiple favorable policies to simplify administrative procedures and boost foreign trade, hoping import and export enterprises, foreign chambers of commerce, customs offices, and other participating organizations can work jointly to create a better business environment.