From Internal Competition To Going Global! How To Tap Into The Trillion-level Market Of The 'Belt And Road'? Mingfeng Packaging Shares Its Experience.

On September 18-19, 2025, the Printing and Packaging Industry Economic Forum and the National Printing Managers Annual Conference were grandly held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. At the event, numerous industry experts delivered a series of brilliant presentations, inspiring new thoughts and directions for the attendees. Moving forward, we will gradually compile the key highlights from the conference-more exciting content awaits!

Spotlight--The Rise of the "Belt and Road" MarketIn the autumn of 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia, proposed the concepts of jointly building the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road," which together constitute the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). After years of preparation, the initiative is gradually becoming a reality. From January to August 2024, China's total global trade in goods reached 4.15 trillion USD. Trade between China and the countries and regions along the Belt and Road has reached 2.15 trillion USD, accounting for 51.7% of the total, which is an encouraging statistic.Based on Mingfeng Packaging's business foundation, I mainly analyze the development of the high-end packaging market in the Belt and Road regions by taking the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as an example. The GCC, formally known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, was established in May 1981 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Its member states are the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.Reports from authoritative GCC institutions show that since 2020, the high-end brand market in the GCC region has maintained rapid growth. From 2019 to 2024, the overall market's compound annual growth rate reached 5%. In 2024, the GCC high-end brand market grew by 6%, reaching 12.8 billion USD. It is expected to grow to 15 billion USD by 2027. It is noteworthy that the GCC region covers only 2.67 million square kilometers and has a population of 34 million, approximately the same as Shanxi Province in China. During the same period, the global high-end brand market showed a declining trend. This demonstrates that in a global environment of market slowdown or even negative growth, the growth of the GCC high-end brand market is particularly remarkable.From the perspective of the offline consumer market, in 2024, over 90 new stores opened in the GCC, signaling strong demand for high-end brands. In the same period, the maximum number of new stores in 12 European countries, the traditional home of luxury brands, was only 83, with some brands even experiencing a decline in store numbers. In 2024, the GCC hosted approximately 17 high-end fashion shows, while China hosted around 14, reflecting high-end brands' preference for the Middle East.According to the UBS Wealth Report, from 2023 to 2024, the proportion of high-net-worth individuals in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar within the GCC increased significantly. In contrast, the number of high-net-worth individuals in developed countries and regions such as Europe showed a clear downward trend. This indicates that the consumption capacity of the high-end market in the GCC is very strong.The reasons for the strong development of the GCC high-end market are evident: first, the gradual opening of policies and the improvement of local consumption levels, which attract a continuous influx of tourists and affluent expatriates; second, the development of new retail commercial projects, such as the opening of Vida Dubai Mall in February 2025 and Nad Al Sheba Shopping Center in April, among eight commercial centers; third, the confidence of the new generation of high-end brands in expanding in this market; fourth, the active introduction of new product categories in the GCC, such as skincare and casual sports; and fifth, e-commerce, especially the accelerated growth of pure online retailers.

Mingfeng Packaging Sales Director Lai Shijun's Speech at the Annual Meeting

Seize Opportunities and Find Exits at the Bright SpotsSo how can printing and packaging companies respond to these growth opportunities? My answer is-seize opportunities and find exits at the bright spots.First, in terms of regional characteristics, the Middle East has significant uniqueness and differences in culture, art, and policy. Only by creating packaging that fits local conditions can companies win the market.In terms of geometric patterns, Arabic geometric designs, such as the hexagram and vine motifs, are classic elements in packaging design. They carry profound meanings, symbolizing the order and sacredness of the universe. These textures are often seen on the embossing of perfume bottles and the embossing on leather handbags.In terms of typography, Arabic calligraphy styles like Kufic and Naskh have unique charm and distinctive design aesthetics.Regarding natural imagery, elements such as deserts, oases, and camels form the collective memory of the Middle East. Additionally, the region has cultural sensitivities in terms of religion and humanity, respecting local culture and prohibiting the use of sensitive elements (such as gender norms), which are considerations our products must pay special attention to in this market.Beyond pattern design, the colors, materials, and craftsmanship of Middle Eastern packaging also have strong regional characteristics, presenting a highly luxurious quality. In terms of color, gold symbolizes wealth and sacredness, while silver represents purity. Regarding craftsmanship integration, techniques like embossing, hot stamping, inlaying (such as diamonds and crystals), and the use of high-end piano lacquer are key to enhancing packaging luxury, which is also MINGFENG Packaging's specialty.Second, from a sustainability perspective, many countries in the Middle East have introduced plastic bans-for example, from January 1, 2024, the import and trade of single-use plastic bags will be prohibited in Dubai. In response, printing and packaging companies can use biodegradable materials such as recycled paper and plant fibers, with date palm trees being an excellent material choice. It is also necessary to reduce excessive packaging and adopt minimalist and functional design concepts.

Mingfeng Packaging Jewelry Packaging Case ProductsMingfeng Packaging has been specializing in high-end packaging for many years, accumulating extensive experience and technical advantages in multi-process integration and multi-material applications. In terms of multi-process integration, through the integration of professional equipment and artisan-level industry talent, Mingfeng Packaging has combined embossing, engraving, cold stamping, metal patching, polishing, gold rubbing, and other box processes, achieving multi-process integration and innovative applications, creating benchmark-level craftsmanship in the industry.In terms of multi-material applications, Mingfeng Packaging offers packaging products in various materials such as wood, paper, leather, plastic, and new materials. It is particularly equipped with sophisticated processing equipment and technology for various types of wood, capable of providing CNC cutting, engraving, laser engraving, and other process services according to customer product requirements.

Mingfeng Packaging Product Multi-Material Application ShowcaseAt the same time, Mingfeng Packaging has observed the demand for environmentally friendly sustainable new materials in overseas markets such as Europe and North America, and has made early investments in this field. In 2016, Mingfeng Packaging Biomass Company was established, developing bio-based materials that meet various customers' needs for plastic reduction and restriction. Currently, these materials are widely used in various product scenarios, with multiple design and development solutions tailored to product requirements.Today, Mingfeng Packaging serves customers in more than 10 industries, including tobacco, alcohol, tea, jewelry, and cosmetics, and has established long-term cooperation with many global top-tier brands.Meanwhile, Mingfeng Packaging continuously improves and innovates, having set up a quality testing laboratory and a CNAS-accredited testing center, equipped with various precision testing instruments. These provide a reliable hardware foundation for inspections and tests throughout raw material intake, product development, production processes, and final product delivery. Regarding packaging raw materials and manufacturing processes, Mingfeng Packaging has obtained authoritative certifications, including ISO series, SA8000, SEDEX, G7, FSC, AEO, ECOVADIS, Higg Index, and Disney. All packaging and printing products must pass quality control.Exploring the path to going global requires adapting to local conditions and timing-"one must be strong oneself to forge iron." In the future, it is hoped that industry peers can work together harmoniously and adapt with the times.