Hunan Huaihua:The Rise of the"Global Luggage Hub"

On May10,the ASEAN mainstream media tour group visited the production workshop of Hunan Outeng Luggage Manufacturing Co.,Ltd.,located in the Huaihua International Land Port Luggage Industry Park in Hunan.The fully automated production lines were operating efficiently.Once processed and packed,these luggage products will be shipped to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).

"Our overseas market sales account for90%of our total sales,"said Liu Zicheng,the company's general manager.The company mainly produces trolley cases and operates five production lines,with a daily output of approximately2,000trolley cases.Each month,around30containers of luggage are shipped from the Huaihua International Land Port to overseas markets.In the first quarter of this year,the company's export value surpassed RMB9million.

Although Huaihua,located between the Wuling and Xuefeng mountain ranges,is often referred to as a"mountain city,"it is far from isolated.Historically known as the"Gateway to Guizhou and Yunnan"and the"Throat of the Whole Chu Area,"Huaihua serves as a crucial gateway for Hunan Province's BRI,leveraging the International Land Port.It is the only intersection of China's dual-channel strategy(the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and the International Maritime and Land Corridor to the Indian Ocean)in central China.Additionally,it is an important hub city along the China-Laos and China-Vietnam international freight railway corridors.

Leveraging the strategic advantages of Huaihua International Land Port—including streamlined export customs clearance,a strong labor pool,low logistics and courier costs,and ample land and factory space—in May2023,the Huaihua Municipal Party Committee and Huaihua Municipal People's Government set their sights on building the city into a“Global Luggage Hub.”With virtually no existing foundation in the industry at the time,luggage and leather goods were designated as the lead sector in the port-adjacent industrial zone.

The Huaihua International Luggage and Leather Goods Industrial Park is located in the core area of the Huaihua International Land Port Economic Development Zone.Capitalizing on the port’s platform,it fully utilizes advantages in workforce,logistics,and maritime customs clearance to attract over300enterprises from across China,including Shanghai,Hebei,Guangdong,Zhejiang,and Jiangxi.To date,more than50companies have signed agreements to establish operations within the park.

Huaihua saw little foundation in the luggage industry—so what drew these companies in?“The growing economic ties between Huaihua and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP)member states have created real benefits for businesses,”explained Liu Zicheng.Enterprises exporting to RCEP member countries via the Huaihua International Land Port are eligible for local government subsidies that offset logistics costs.Those operating within the bonded logistics center at the port can also benefit from policies such as import duty suspension and export tax rebates,which help ease financial pressure.

To better cater to consumer preferences in ASEAN markets,Outeng Luggage has prioritized the development of products that balance functionality with visual appeal,incorporating innovations such as explosion-proof zippers to enhance market competitiveness.“Next,we plan to scale up production by adding three to four new lines and intensify our R&D efforts to launch products tailored to local tastes in overseas markets,with the goal of building a strong brand presence and expanding our global reach,”said Liu Zicheng.

As of now,Huaihua’s luggage and leather goods industry has evolved into a fully integrated supply chain ecosystem,anchored by over150investment projects with a cumulative value of RMB10.8billion.The sector recorded an industrial output of RMB3.012billion and export volume of RMB500million in2024,with155enterprises engaged across the value chain—from finished luggage manufacturing to key components such as trolley systems,casters,and interior linings.As products gain traction across RCEP member markets,Huaihua’s ambition to position itself as a Global Luggage Hub is rapidly becoming a reality.

Huaihua’s luggage and leather goods sector is entering a pivotal phase of advancement—shifting its focus from quality refinement to brand-driven growth.Accelerating the development of homegrown brands and establishing a cohesive regional identity have become strategic imperatives.To this end,the city has launched a series of initiatives,including competitions in innovation,product design,and quality excellence,aimed at fast-tracking the commercialization of creative and technological outputs.Moreover,efforts are being intensified to cultivate proprietary brands and elevate their visibility in both domestic and international markets.

“Huaihua is expediting the establishment of platforms with national and international influence,including exhibition and trade centers,R&D and design institutes,certification and testing facilities,and integrated information service hubs,in order to enhance the industry’s reach and impact,”said Yang Shijun,General Manager of Huaihua International Land Port Development Co.,Ltd.

In2024,Huaihua aims to expand its luggage and leather goods industrial chain to over200enterprises,with more than40operating at scale.The total industrial output is projected to surpass RMB6billion.(End)