US companies finding niche markets

Ocean Spray didn't realize that dried cranberries would be so popular with young women when it moved into the Chinese market two years ago.

The US-based food and beverage company was one of a wide array of small and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, at the Gateway '17 summit that was encouraged to sell its goods to China's expanding middle class.

Other businesses at the two-day gathering, including baby and maternity, beauty and skin care, agriculture, apparel and seafood, were represented on Wednesday, the final day.

A highlight of the event was a stirring speech by Jack Ma, executive chairman and co-founder of Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd, whose company is a driving force for US firms selling products in China online.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)