BEIJING: The Belt and Road Economic and Trade Center (BRETC), a strategic initiative by IBI International Group, was inaugurated on Tuesday in Changshu city, Suzhou, marking a milestone in enhancing economic and trade collaboration among Belt and Road countries.
The center aims to serve as a one-stop platform for trade, investment and cultural exchanges, facilitat-ing deeper integration between China and partner countries.
Once put into operation, BRETC will offer comprehensive solutions spanning bilateral bulk trade, sup-ply chain management, engineering procurement and construction (EPC), transfer-operate-transfer (TOT) projects, production line setup and financing services for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) engagements, media reported. Among its core objectives are facilitating joint ventures, providing project and trade financing, and helping partner countries access China’s market. The center features dedicated country display zones and liaison offices for key partners, including Pakistan, Jordan, Nigeria and others.
Pakistan Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi described BRETC as an initiative that embodies connectiv-ity, collaboration and practical opportunities.
The center’s integrated services from procurement facilitation to legal support and business match-making are precisely what our private sector requires to compete successfully in international markets, he emphasized.
IBI Group Chairman Abrahim highlighted that BRETC goes beyond traditional trade facilitation by providing a one-stop solution for cross-border collaboration.
“This platform will accelerate partnerships not only in textiles but also in IT, mining, agribusiness, and clean energy”,he said. The center’s launch aligns with China’s continued commitment to Belt and Road cooperation, which saw trade with partner countries reach RMB 22.1 trillion in 2024.
Earlier, Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview that the Pakistani government is taking necessary measures to ensure Chinese citizens’ security in Pakistan.
“We have taken a lot of steps and we have kept the Chinese authorities informed about what the spe-cific steps for the protection of the safety and security of Chinese people, engineers, workers, institu-tions, and enterprises in Pakistan are,” said the ambassador.
He revealed that the government has increased the deployment of human resources, including peo-ple from the army, law enforcement, and police, to enhance security. The ambassador also reiterated that Chinese citizens’ security in Pakistan is important.
“For us, the safety of our Chinese friends is foremost,” the ambassador noted. –Agencies
