Madagascan merchant Vicky tidies her store in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

Vicky from Madagascar is one of the many African entrepreneurs who have made their fortunes in Yiwu, a city in East China's Zhejiang province known for its global-scale wholesale market for small commodities.

Vicky came to Yiwu and started her foreign trade business in 2009. 

"I was amazed at first sight by the variety and quality of the ubiquitous small commodities," she said, recounting her first impressions of Yiwu. 

The Belt and Road Initiative and the city's strong global connections helped her export Yiwu-made small commodities to the African market. She also imported goods from Madagascar to Yiwu, where they were processed, distributed, and exported around the world.

"Knowing little Chinese, I managed to talk business with locals using computers and sign language as I just couldn't let go of an opportunity like this," said Vicky. 

Learning from day-to-day life and business, Vicky has since become a fluent Chinese speaker. She has even married and started a family in Yiwu. The Madagascan daughter-in-law likens her connection with Yiwu to that of a fish with water.

In 2012, Vicky was entrusted by the Madagascan embassy in Beijing to open a national pavilion in Yiwu to showcase Madagascar's culture, tourism and investment environment. 

Today, the 90-square-meter pavilion has become like an overseas office for Madagascar in Yiwu, handling various affairs concerning product exhibition, travel consultancy, business visits and visa services. 

"Yiwu is like a bridge between China and African countries," Vicky explained.