"Pioneering Success in Pu'er: Journey to the Future" Global Call for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Projects

Identify the QR code in the image to enter the solicitation system.

Pu'er City is known for its beautiful ecological environment and abundant natural resources, with a unique geographical location that connects "one city to three countries and one river to five neighbors." The city benefits from opportunities presented by the "Belt and Road Initiative," the "Golden Corridor" promoted by the China-Laos Railway, and Yunnan's development as a hub connecting South and Southeast Asia. The coffee industry in Pu'er City is thriving through integrated development across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, transforming resource advantages into entrepreneurial opportunities with promising prospects. Pu'er City has become one of China's major coffee production areas, known for having the largest planting area, highest yield, and best quality, earning it the title of "China's Coffee Capital." In the first half of 2024, Pu'er's coffee planting area reached 679,000 mu (about 45,267 ha), with a specialty-grade green coffee bean rate of 30.4% and a deep-processing rate of 27.8%. The city hosts 56 SC-accredited enterprises and 19 above-scale enterprises and has attracted international coffee giants like Nestlé and Starbucks to settle there. Coffee estates such as Xiaoaizi, Aini, and Manya have become popular online destinations. At the same time, the diversified "Coffee+" industry forms continue to enrich Pu'er's status as an important national center for deep coffee processing, trading, technical innovation, training, exchange, consumption, and culture communication.

The picture shows coffee farmers picking coffee in the Pu'er coffee plantation in Yunnan. Photographed by China News Services reporter Liu Ranyang

According to staff from the Pu'er Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, projects participating in the call should align with Pu'er's industrial development direction, focusing on encouraged areas such as technological innovation, green development, and rural revitalization. Priority will be given to projects with high technological content, small scale, low investment, quick launch, and low entry barriers suitable for various groups of people. The project solicitation will be a regular thematic activity, with different themes set according to the needs of Pu'er's "City of Entrepreneurship" development and with rewards offered periodically.

The online platform address for this solicitation activity is puercyh.com.The event will select ten entrepreneurial projects and twenty innovative projects. The owners of selected entrepreneurial projects will receive a one-time subsidy of 10,000 yuan per project, while owners of selected creative projects will receive 5,000 yuan per project. After expert review, eligible projects will be included in the Pu'er City Entrepreneurship and Innovation Project Library. Subsequently, an entry ceremony will be held, entry agreements will be signed, and project roadshows will be organized to progress these projects effectively. Additionally, regular on-site meetings for entrepreneurial project promotion, media publicity, and project result exhibitions will be conducted. Projects in the library will enjoy entrepreneurial assistance from experts and related support policies.

The picture shows exhibitors from Mexico inviting visitors to taste coffee at the China (Pu'er) International Coffee Expo on January 5, 2024.  Pictures provided by the organizer

Long Lihua, Deputy Editor of "International Students News," a Japan-based media outlet, expressed keen interest upon learning about Pu'er City's launch of the solicitation for coffee-themed entrepreneurship and innovation projects. "When I first visited Pu'er in 2018, I discovered not only Pu'er tea but also high-quality coffee, which was eye-opening," Long said. She has shared Pu'er coffee with friends in Tokyo and New York, who appreciate its rich aroma and smooth taste.

"For Chinese coffee to go global, it must align with international standards such as organic certification. Hosting such solicitation for entrepreneurial and innovative projects is both necessary and meaningful. It will undoubtedly promote the healthy development of the coffee industry and benefit the promotion and publicity of Pu'er coffee," Long stated. "I am eager to sign up and will readily recommend relevant practitioners to participate, as I believe this will significantly contribute to the development of the coffee industry."

Coffee practitioners sell Pu'er coffee through e-commerce channels Pictures provided by the organizer

Zhou Zhihua, Vice President of Yunnan Milan Gold Coffee Vocational Training School, who has worked in the coffee industry for nearly 30 years, commented that while Pu'er coffee is of excellent quality, its cultivation practices, roasting techniques, and extraction precision hold the promise of significant improvement in the future. "Only by continuously improving coffee quality can we enhance its market value and industry influence," he said.

Zhou believes that Pu'er City has recognized the necessity of transforming and upgrading the coffee industry, and the solicitation event plays an active role in promoting and improving the industry. "I hope the impact of these series of activities will continue, driving the sustainable and healthy development of the coffee industry in Yunnan and China. I am also willing to participate in such activities and will actively recommend coffee practitioners and vocational school graduates to join," he said.

Wang Lin, a second-year graduate student at Yunnan University, loves drinking coffee. "Coffee has become popular at school. I have a moka pot and a hand-pour pot in my dorm, and I am ready to brew coffee anytime. I always attend coffee markets," Wang said. His senior has already started a coffee shop while in school, frequently launching new coffee products that are well-received by classmates.

"I am very interested in this solicitation event and want to learn about the latest coffee industry trends and interesting entrepreneurial projects. I hope to visit Pu'er in the future and become part of it," Wang said.