A Senegalese businessman's road to success from Yiwu

HANGZHOU - Sourakhata Tirera's office in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, stands right beside the well-known international trade city, the world's biggest hub for small commodities.

Inside the office of the 43-year-old Senegalese, a traditional Chinese landscape painting hangs on the wall and a set of teaware sits on the side table. He enjoys drinking oolong tea.

Located in the center of Zhejiang, about 300 kilometers from Shanghai, Yiwu calls itself a "sea of consumer goods, paradise for shoppers "according to its official website. Over 400,000 foreign buyers come to the city every year.