Chinese "cake girl" make a hit in Luanda's CBD

"Kiss Mark" is located at a large shopping center in Taladona, a newly established commercial and residential district in southern Luanda,the capital city of Angola.

"Kiss Mark had virtually nothing to do with love affairs," said owner of the shop Li Xiaoyu, a Chinese girl from Zhe Jiang province, eastern China.

"Acturally the name showed my determination to establish a brand of Chinese cakes and dessert here in Taladona and Luanda."

"Kiss Mark" seems to be on a right track as the shop gains popularity in Taladona among local middle class, Chinese and other foreign expatriates working in Luanda.

Taladona, home to most of the fledgling middle class in the country, distinguish itself with wide streets, brand new vilas and apartment buildings.

Li thinks she made a right decision to open her shop in Taladona despite of bigger cost such as rental, for the "higher consumption level in the area."

Some people braved the busy traffic in down-town Luanda and drove dozens of miles to order or buy cakes in the little shop.

"Business is quite good," Li said, "the largest cakes sold so far was 1.5 meters high and at a price of 15,000 U.S. dollars."

Now the finely decorated shop now serves cakes, dessert,cookies, beers and coffee,and Li was called "Cake Girl" by Chinese expatriates and customers who frequented the little shop.

Li came to Angola six years ago and she first worked for a Chinese company in Luanda before she quitted and opened the shop in Taladona.

"My shop will celebrate its one-year birthday at the end of August," Li said, "I like the environment and business climate in Angola."

The young girl hoped to find her Mr. Right in Angola. "That would make my life complete," she said. Endit