BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- In Bozhou City of east China's Anhui Province, the 3rd China (Bozhou)-RCEP Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Cooperation Conference attracted crowds of attendees to unlock new paths for regional cooperation on Monday.
Experts and representatives in attendance came from government departments, industry associations and businesses of seven Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) members such as China, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and Vietnam.
Famed as the world capital of TCM, Bozhou has deepened TCM trade and investment cooperation with RCEP members in recent years and in 2024, the city saw imports and exports with RCEP members taking up more than one third of its total foreign trade.
Since effect-taking of the RCEP agreement, the city has delved deeper into the RCEP "circle of friends" with establishment of RCEP TCM industry cooperation mechanisms, visits and exchange activities, and industry cooperation and dialogue platforms.
Bozhou has founded 15 overseas institutions in RCEP member countries and 210 local enterprises have trade ties with RCEP members, being an integral part of its TCM trade with over 90 countries around the world.
Thanks to co-efforts of the city and 11 industry associations in six ASEAN member states, local TCM, big health, baijiu and medicinal liquors, and green food sectors are deeply integrated into the regional cooperation chain, supply chain and value chain.
Bozhou also organized local enterprises to participate in TCM, flower tea, food, household and gifts, and building materials exhibitions held in Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and others.
Apart from integrated "One Thing" services reform for export tax rebate, the city has expedited local bonded logistics center (type B), cross-border e-commerce industrial park and cross-border e-commerce goods selection center construction to unlock more development potential.
Since 2023, Bozhou and RCEP Industry Cooperation Committee have held the TCM industry cooperation conference for three consecutive years and after foundation of the RCEP TCM Industry Cooperation Council, the long-term cooperation mechanism effectively promoted entering of local TCM brands, products and standards into RCEP member countries.
During the conference, Bozhou Bureau of Commerce signed memorandums of understanding with the Planning and Investment Department of Cambodia's Kandal Province and other chambers of commerce from Cambodia and Malaysia. Bozhou businesses reached cooperation deals with their partners from Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand.
(Edited by Duan Jing with Xinhua Silk Road, duanjing@xinhua.org)
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