The Belt and Road Global Chambers of Commerce and Associations Conference (GCCAC) convened in Fuzhou, East China’s Fujian Province, on Wednesday, attracting global entrepreneurs and leaders of business associations. The conference provided a platform for discussions on industry trends, economic and trade exchanges among countries and regions, and sustainable development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China a decade ago.
Dignitaries and speakers at the opening ceremony included Lin Baojin, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Fujian Provincial Committee; Qiu Xiaoping, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC); Cheng Qingmin, member of the editorial board and secretary general of People’s Daily; Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, governor of Nigeria’s Edo State; and Nia Niscaya, main expert of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia. Officials, ambassadors from BRI partner countries, and Chinese representatives also attended.
As the world’s first international cooperation and exchange platform involving chambers of commerce, industry associations, and social organizations, the GCCAC has evolved into a significant international business event. This year’s conference saw participation from over 1,000 guests representing more than 200 business associations across 30 countries and regions, including the US, Singapore, and Italy.
Highlighting the importance of African countries in BRI, several nations, including the Gabonese Republic, jointly launched the African Digital Procurement Service Platform Cooperation Initiative during the conference. This initiative aims to enhance win-win cooperation among BRI partner countries.
The conference featured seven sub-forums focusing on China-Africa economic cooperation, China-Indonesia investment, and digital economy collaboration. These discussions aimed to explore new cooperation opportunities and strengthen exchanges among participants.
Guided by People’s Daily and ACFIC, the GCCAC was hosted by the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, the Global Times, Fujian Federation of Commerce and Industry, Administrative Committee of the Fuzhou New Area, and the Administrative Committee of the Fuzhou Area of China Pilot Free Trade Zone. Organized by the Global Times Online, the Information Office of the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, and the Fuzhou Federation of Industry and Commerce, the conference played a crucial role in fostering international cooperation under the BRI.