e-Platform: A global strategy for SME development

China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) launched "The Trade & Investment e-Platform", an important instrument of CCPIT aimed at eliminating the obstacles to SMEs' global strategy. The Platform is designed to assist enterprises in releasing and accessing business opportunities online and identifying potential business partners effectively joining hands with professional third party service providers. The Platform also provides overall process services, including but not limited to consulting, financing, insurance and legal support for enterprises to operate their transnational cooperation projects.

Business entities established in countries other than China such as relevant international organisations, trade and investment promotion agencies, commercial associations and consulting companies are encouraged to join the Platform as co-partners being responsible for providing business matchmaking services to facilitate cross-border business cooperation between enterprises of China and the e-Platform co-partner countries.

The Investment Promotion Centre (IPC) acting under powers delegated by CCPIT, is responsible for the overall operation of the e-Platform, and shall support the Platform co-partner by making available effective coordination and operational support, while the co-partner shall make their best efforts to provide services of the highest quality. The e-Platform and its co-partner will ensure services for the stakeholders of respective countries by setting up relationship of cooperation among them to their mutual benefit. 

Being a strong business partner of China and a trusted friend of CCPIT, Bangladesh Indenting Agents' Association recently signed an MOU with Investment Promotion Centre (IPC) of CCPIT to work as co-partner of the e-Platform. BIAA will look into the promotional activities of e-Platform in Bangladesh Chapter to play a match-making role between the business community of both the countries, particularly in the field of joint venture investments and foreign direct investment (FDI). BIAA will take part in the training sessions organised by the Investment Promotion Centre of CCPIT and build up the necessary operational capacity to effectively use the platform communication tools and project database as well as to organise B2B matchmaking meetings and company missions in conformity with the principles of Platform's business matching process.

China's cost-effective equipment technology transfer, well-trained personnel and financial support can enable us to find more competitive edges jointly with the co-partner countries. It will help keep us keep abreast the new trend of cutting edge technologies including intelligent manufacturing, digital economy and shared economy of the member countries. Cyber connectivity with the co-partner countries will boost the development of cross border cyber and other communication networks and accelerate the building of an information harbour between the partner countries.

Under the umbrella of the platform, China will upgrade the free trade agreement negotiations under the Belt and Road Initiative and sign more agreements for currency swaps, investment promotion and protection and expansion of Yuan settlement. China is also striving to boost imports from neighbouring countries through exploring the potential sectors which are yet to be disclosed. The most important issue of regional and global cooperation is that the Government of China will streamline the procedure for foreigners to apply for work permits in China and encourage foreign students to find career opportunities, start their own business and apply for work and resident permits.

BIAA, as co-partner of e-Platform will oversee and coordinate additional activities in line with the purposes of human and financial resources to the mutual benefit of the enterprises of China and Bangladesh. The Investment Promotion Centre will provide information to the co-partner on the tools and services available to, or to be acquired by co-partners; provide the co-partners with access to the Platform's internet website, database and other online services; provide technical assistance for the effective use of the Platform's online tools, databases and communication systems; authorize the co-partner to participate in the training sessions and working group meetings organized by the Platform. As co-partner BIAA will organise B2B match making events with potential investors of both the countries. Especially, BIAA aims to emphasise relocation of labour intensive and hi-tech industries from China to Bangladesh. 

In fine, it may be said that the Investment Promotion Centre of CCPIT has taken a time-befitting programme for facilitating development of trade related aspects and to explore new potentials across the globe. BIAA being the co-partner of e-Platform emerged as an important factor in the development of business relationship with the South Asian countries particularly with PR China. Exchange of information with reliable data will definitely accelerate entry of Bangladesh products in China, mainly readymade garments, handicrafts and agro-based products.

The writer is Secretary, Bangladesh Indenting Agents' Association. [email protected]