HEFEI, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Despite the negative effect caused by COVID-19, Shuji Minato, general manager of a Japanese firm based in east China's Anhui Province, expressed confidence in a rebounding demand and the Chinese market at large.
"Over the past few months, China has done a tremendous job in containing the virus, which creates favorable conditions for businesses to reopen. We are planning to expand our investment in China because we see great potential in the Chinese market," said the general manager of Hefei Kobayashi Daily Products Co., Ltd.
Established in Hefei, the provincial capital in April of 2012, the company is mainly engaged in the production and sales of daily products including fragrances, heating patches and fever cooling patches, of which 60 percent are exported.
The company's logistics was heavily disrupted in February when China was hit hard by COVID-19. Transportation of finished products and raw materials was basically shut down due to traffic control.
The company resumed operations on Feb. 17 with detailed anti-virus measures such as reducing meetings, handing out masks to employees, registering their temperatures and disinfecting the workplace on a daily basis.
"Honestly speaking, the precautionary measures have increased our workload. I am responsible for taking people's temperatures and disinfecting the company. But it's all worth it if everybody is safe," said Yang Xiaojiao, who is in charge of the company's general affairs.
So far, all 400 employees have returned to their jobs and the company has entered full operation.
"I am impressed by the strong self-discipline displayed by the Chinese people amid the epidemic. Our employees have been very cooperative in implementing the company's safety measures. For example, everybody reports their daily body temperatures even on their days off," said the 50-year-old general manager.
"The local government has offered a lot of help too, both online and on site, informing us how to control and prevent virus infections. They have also exempted us from paying social insurance premiums for employees amid the epidemic. I am really grateful for that," he added.
To express their gratitude and fulfill their corporate social responsibility, the company, together with Hefei Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., donated 20 boxes of heating patches, 300 protective suits and 200,000 yuan (about 28,300 U.S. dollars) to the local government in March.
"There is an increasing demand for fever cooling patches across the world due to the pandemic. We will ramp up our production to meet the market demand across the world," he said.
