Guizhou, ASEAN boost food industry cooperation under RCEP

Representatives from Guizhou and ASEAN countries' food industries communicate online to seek future cooperation at the conference. [Photo/gzdsw.com]

A conference on China-ASEAN food industry cooperation was held on March 24 in Guiyang, the capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province.

The conference is part of Guizhou's series of activities on cross-border trade and was held both online and offline to allow more than 40 representatives from ASEAN countries' food industries to communicate with Guizhou.

The conference will enhance the mutual understanding between food companies in Guizhou and ASEAN countries, allowing both sides to carry out international exchanges and participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Ran Li, deputy head of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Commerce, said that the conference highlights Guizhou's efforts to enhance the RCEP.

Relying on its good environment, unique weather and various biological resources, Guizhou has formed a complete green food industrial chain covering seasonings, grain and oil products, bean products, meat products, tea products, dairy products, soft drinks, fruits and vegetables.

Guizhou hopes to achieve comprehensive cooperation with ASEAN countries in food safety standards, the intensive processing of subsidiary agricultural products and the food industry's complete industrial chain.

According to Xu Ningning, executive president of the China-ASEAN Business Council, neighboring ASEAN countries have become Chinese companies' first choice to go global, as these countries attach great importance to the food industry's development.

Meanwhile, China's policy of developing both domestic and international economic cycles has created a sound business environment for ASEAN's food companies. As Guizhou is implementing a series of measures to encourage international trade and investment, Xu suggested ASEAN's food companies choose Guizhou to further their business.