An expat gets his information registered with the help of a police officer in Yiwu in Zhejiang province. [Photo/IC]

Famed as the "supermarket of the world", Yiwu in Zhejiang province is taking advantage of its global-scale wholesale market to attract professionals and promote sustainable growth, local media reported on Sept 24.

The municipal government revealed that the city's population has reached a record high of 2.3 million, with GDP hitting 62.06 billion yuan ($8.72 billion) in the first half of 2019.

Over 15,000 expats from over 100 countries and regions are now living in Yiwu. Another 550,000 foreigners will visit and make purchases in the city every year, officials said.

As of Aug 20, the city's migrant population had exceeded 1.48 million -- up 7 percent year-on-year.

The latest stats from the public security bureau of Yiwu showed that in the first eight months of 2019, the city saw its population boom by 61,000.

Of these, over 10,000 were entrepreneurs or professionals attracted by the city's business environment and living space.

Officials said the surging population has broadened Yiwu's talent pool to over 268,000 prospects, over 35,000 of whom have senior technological positions or have a master's degree and above.

"Yiwu is offering various preferential policies and considerate services to make us feel at home," said Li, an overseas returnee.

He said he appreciated the government's efforts in taking care of new citizens' needs in terms of accommodation, healthcare and children's education.

"Here in Yiwu, foreigners are treated really well," said Jordanian businessman Mohanad, who lives with his family in the city and runs his own restaurant.

"The local government treats them like friends and offers suggestions, for example, regarding a new policy, creating an open atmosphere for foreigners to do business," he added.