Even if the name Igor Ganea is quite well known in the Moldovan business sphere, few of us know that the 36-year-old man has a huge success on the Chinese trade market.
In an interview for us, Igor revealed how he came to conquer the Chinese business, 13 years ago, with only five thousand dollars in his wallet:
“The goal was – to achieve something in life. I had not a fixed idea to fly ten thousand miles away in order to buy something. But I knew for sure – China is the new Wild West, and the one who puts a high stake first will later collect all the profits! It was 2007, I was 22 years old, it was the first flight of my life and I had the initial capital of 5 000 dollars. All the ingredients for a victory over the whole world, right?”
Starting his business was not easy. He had to work hard for a month to get, more or less, his business idea up and running. He succeeded, and today he owns a Moldovan restaurant in China, with a Michelin star, but he also exports the wines he produces in Moldova to several areas of China.
Igor Ganea managed to disprove three myths, that some believe in, about his business with the Chinese people. He mentioned that:
- “The Chinese people know little about wines, for them is enough to make distinction between red and white. Ah, God help you if you think this way.
- Made in China – is the combination of a low price and a low quality. Unfortunately, we are hostages to the situation in which, for decades, our importers’ requests have reached us. The Chinese themselves are very surprised that Chinese products can be of poor quality, because the requirements in the country are simply crazy!
The Chinese people only think about money. No, it is more important for them to do business with friends, with those who are spiritually close to them and they will always prioritize this over profit. Realizing this fact, I received the key to this country!”
More details about the businesses that Ganea runs in China, about the first business he started there, but also what plans has he for the future of the Republic of Moldova, you can read in the full interview, here.