BRUNEI Darussalam National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BDNCCI) joined other Asean National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the cooperation for China Asean Cross Border B2B Platform with the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) at the China Asean Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Beijing, China recently.
Amidst growing trade protectionism and anti-globalisation in the world, the platform is expected to assist free trade in Asia and ease cross border process, especially in providing Asean member countries market access to China, one the of world’s busiest trade areas, and further expanding to markets in Japan, Korea, Australia, Europe and the United States.
CCPIT initiated the China- Asean Ecommerce Platform in 2015 in Nanning, Guangxi, China and thereafter engaged with Asean NCCIs to jointly develop the platform, further expanding cooperation between China and respective Asean NCCIs on e-commerce.
CCPIT also engaged with the Suning Commerce Group, China’s largest online to offline (O2O) retail business to leverage on their O2O expertise for the development and operational support of the platform.
Lead NCCI representatives from 10 Asean member countries took part in the launch of the platform and attending the event were also dignitaries from Asean foreign missions based in Beijing as well as lead businesses.
The Chairman of CCPIT Jiang Xingwei officially opened the event and highlighted that “With over 260 million Internet users, Asean enjoys the fastest speed in the growth of users. China and Asean are mutually complimentary in economic structures, and ecommerce will give a further boost to trade relations.”
During the signing of the MoU.
Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPPMB) Ast Secretary Trade Fauziah binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib and DPPMB Ast Secretary Information Siti Zaleha Kaprawi both attended the event on behalf of the BDNCCI.
At a conference meeting held on the sideline of the launch, Fauziah noted, “During challenging times we need to look toward innovative approaches to doing business and the platform is a welcomed alternative avenue to promote Brunei businesses (especially SMEs) to a wider market.
“BDNCCI will play a large role in ensuring its member constituents have access to a credibly recognised platform that would include features on Brunei’s products and related services and importantly, enable these businesses to target the Chinese market (and beyond) and participate in cross border trade on a platform that supports online payment, logistics and customs permits within China.”
Siti Zaleha added, “We (the Chamber) would need to do our part in raising awareness and encouraging non-members of the Brunei business community to join and qualify through the chamber for access to the platform.
“We are excited for this opportunity to work together with CCPIT and the Asean NCCIs to ensure the success of the platform and to provide Brunei businesses with market access.”
The respective Asean NCCI are recognised lead business association of Asean member countries that play a large role in reaching out to its member constituents and the business community at large.
The platform will require each recognised lead NCCI to verify the credibility of their members, ensure an initial participation of up to 100 businesses and to work with relevant stakeholders to address the need to establish ecommerce rules and standards between Brunei Darussalam and China.
Fauziah has worked with CCPIT at the APEC and Asean regional platform as a previous Brunei member of both regional business advisory council and during the ABAC meeting held in Guangzhou, China in 2011.
She was selected together with lead ABAC members from 19 APEC economies to undertake the role of promoting CCPIT-APEC related activities at the national level.
This has given her a greater understanding of the relations between CCPIT and the regional platforms and how this may impact the Chamber (Malay and National).
Siti Zaleha provided support in ensuring pertinent information was gathered and potential business and investment opportunities were identified for members of DPPMB and BDNCCI.
Both undertook to strengthen the relationship with CCPIT and the various Asean NCCI to ensure greater networking and impact for Brunei businesses.
Fauziah also had a side discussion with members of the Asean NCCIs on the revival of the Asean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Asean CCI) membership and the reinstatement of BDNCCI on this platform.
This will enable BDNCCI to contribute to discussions on business and investment issues, and access related activities that impacts the business community in Brunei and the Asean region.
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