Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang Visited Shandong Province to Promote Trade and Investment Cooperation with ASEAN

From 5 to 8 June 2014, Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) made an official visit to Linyi City and Tai’an City, Shandong Province, at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Shandong Committee (CCPIT Shandong) and CCPIT Linyi. The objectives of the trip are to strengthen the cooperation of trade and investment between ASEAN countries and Shandong Province, and to push forward internationalisation process of Linyi City, where the biggest commodity market in Northern China is located.

At his meeting with Mr. Wei Huaxiang, Deputy Mayor of Linyi City, Secretary-General Ma briefed the Shandong side on ACC’s efforts and work plans in promoting trade and investment between ASEAN and China. He hoped that, by taking advantage of the preferential policies under the ASEAN-China FTA and the comparative advantage and the economic complementarity between ASEAN and Shandong, enterprises of both sides might readily enlarge their shares in each other’s market, and thereby created a broader space for trade and economic cooperation between ASEAN and China for mutual benefits and common development. He pointed out the profitability of focusing on the key potential areas of cooperation such as agriculture, seafood and seaweed farming, timber and rubber industries, mining and handicraft. He laid stress on the paramount importance of after-sales service to ensure the sustainable market of agricultural machinery in ASEAN countries. Secretary-General Ma also gave advice on Shandong’s investment mission to Indonesia. In conlusion, he pledged that ACC would take concrete steps in matching competitive industries and facilitating bilateral trade and investment between ASEAN and Shandong.

During the visit, Secretary-General Ma held talks with local officials and hoped that both Shandong and Linyi would create a more favourable environment for the convenience and welfare of resident ASEAN traders. The Shandong side expressed its enthusiasm to embrace more ASEAN business people to set up shops and make purchases in the Province. Linyi City expected ACC to help invite the ASEAN officials to attend the China Linyi International Trade and Logistics Fair and the ASEAN-China Trade and Investment Forum to be held in October 2014.

In Linyi, Secretary-General Ma went on an inspection tour of the selected sites of the proposed ASEAN Products Trade Centre located in the Linyi Wholesale City.

Secretary-General Ma also paid visits to two privately-owned enterprises with interests to develop markets and make investments in ASEAN countries.

This visit marked the deepening of the ties of ACC with Shandong Province in jacking up trade and investment between ASEAN and China.