International students compete in the "Silk Road E-commerce Cup" innovation and entrepreneurship competition at the FTZ Global Hub. [Photo/Shanghai University]

The grand final of the "Silk Road E-commerce Cup", an innovation and entrepreneurship competition for international students at Shanghai University, was successfully held at the Global Hub of the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone on June 28.

The event aimed to inspire innovative potential and entrepreneurial enthusiasm amongst international students, as well as contribute to the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Five teams with students from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Mongolia, Morocco, and Thailand made it into the final round. Each team presented their business plans to a judging panel, focusing on market advantages, cost control, operational models, and project feasibility. After a thorough evaluation, Shrestha Nibhaa's Nepalese essential oils business plan won the champion.

Key officials from the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone and representatives from Shanghai University's International Department attended the event.

Wang Lina, Party secretary of Shanghai University's International Department, highlighted the university's ongoing collaboration with the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone on international student cultivation since 2017. She also called for deeper cooperation to provide international students with more cross-border trade internship, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Zhang Wan, a representative from the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone introduced the zone's support for the competition, pledging to offer winners incubation services such as product displays, shared office space, promotion activities, project guidance, and talent recommendations.

Both sides agreed that the competition provides a platform for international students to showcase their talents and dreams, and announced plans to continue this collaboration in the future.

An Afghan student introduces his business plan. [Photo/Shanghai University]