Alibaba Group, Belgium To Promote Inclusive Global Trade

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) – Belgium and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. have agreed to promote inclusive trade under the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative. Both parties will co-build a more inclusive and innovative trade platform that will facilitate greater and more equitable access to cross-border trade opportunities, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to a statement by Alibaba Group. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Consumer Affairs, Kris Peeters and Senior Director of Alibaba Group, James Song. It was witnessed by Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Michel and Alibaba Group President of Global Business, Angel Zhao. The statement added that a major element of the eWTP agreement signed is the establishment of a logistics infrastructure to support cross-border trade. Michel said: “This will be a huge opportunity to boost exports and bring wide reaching economic benefits to society, including employment opportunities to Liege.” Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Ltd. – the logistics arm of Alibaba Group and Liege Airport also signed a contract to lease a total area of 220,000 square meters to build a world-class smart logistics hub at Liege Airport. The hub will enhance overall logistics efficiency to help SMEs better manage their exports especially with the surge in global e-commerce. “We strongly believe that under the eWTP, we will open up the huge potential for European businesses to reap the benefits of global cross-border trade, especially into the China market where the demand for European goods is high,” said Alibaba Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang. Under the partnership, both parties will also introduce new technologies that promote digitisation of customs procedures and more efficient clearance of goods which will be crucial for global trade in particularly for SMEs. Alibaba and Belgian trade and investment agencies will also collaborate to increase the sales opportunity of quality Belgian products on e-commerce platforms within Alibaba’s ecosystem including product promotions, marketing and direct imports. -- BERNAMA