Hangzhou companies eye closer cooperation with BRI countries

A business delegation from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province embarked on a seven-day trip to the Czech Republic and Poland, two important countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), on May 27.

Led by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hangzhou Committee, the visit aims to expand economic and trade cooperation and exchange between Hangzhou enterprises and countries involved in the BRI.

A Czech Republic liaison office of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hangzhou Committee was recently unveiled in Prague, the first office the institute has set up in Europe.

As a platform to showcase the social and economic development of Hangzhou, the liaison office will help Hangzhou companies learn about local business policies, facilitate communication between companies and local government departments, and provide support in trade and investment.

The newly-established office is an important gateway for Hangzhou companies looking to do business in Europe and is expected to advance economic and trade relations between Hangzhou and the Czech Republic, and by extension all of Europe, said Wang Guozhen, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hangzhou Committee.

Four cooperation agreements in digital economy, engineering construction, and new materials were inked between Hangzhou and Czech Republic companies.

There are many cooperation opportunities for Chinese companies in Europe, especially when it comes to civil engineering, said Pan Jinlong, president of a Hangzhou geotechnical company.