An online promotion for the China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange was held on Feb 18, hosting nearly 200 attendees from Guangxi and ASEAN countries to jointly explore business opportunities.

The China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange is set to cover a total of 1 million square meters and will be constructed in two phases. Large-scale companies, distinctive products, and brands in ASEAN and countries alongside the Belt and Road will be introduced to the mercantile exchange. The exchange will mainly focus on business forms such as online and on-site exhibitions, cross-border e-commerce, cross-border logistics, and digital trade. 

The design and construction of the exchange's first phase are underway and are set to start operation in September 2022 during the 19th CAEXPO.

Wang Lei, secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, speaks during the online promotion. [Photo/gxzf.gov.cn]

Wang Lei, secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, spoke highly of the CAEXPO as being one of the most successful regional economic and trade cooperation platforms. The exchange center will be the first stop for ASEAN merchants to enter the Chinese market upon operation and will provide a vital window for Chinese merchants to expand into global markets. 

Wang added that the CAEXPO exhibitors can share giant flows of commodities, capital, and information brought by the event by settling in the exchange achieving a normal exhibition. 

Suwit Ratanachinda, director of the Thai International Freight Forwarders Association, said that the exchange will create excellent opportunities for the market revival left by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will bring new chances for companies in member countries under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Ratanachinda added that a branch of China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange is set to be established in Thailand.