China-Laos Railway exhibition area at the sixth China International Import Expo. [Photo/WeChat ID: shlgguanweihui]

The ASEAN International Supply Chain Services Forum took place at the Lin-gang Special Area Exhibition Area as part of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Nov 8.

The forum focused on maximizing the advantages of the Shanghai-Kunming-Vientiane line and the China-Laos freight train service to drive high-standard opening-up and large-scale development.

The China-Laos Railway exhibition area showcased trade achievements along the railway and in the Mohan-Boten economic cooperation zone, and brought together 11 business representatives from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, including Kaitai Bank and PTT Oil.

The China-Laos Railway's Vientiane-Luchao Port (Shanghai) freight train service, which began operations on Oct 8, has enhanced the Lin-gang's functions, export-oriented economy, international trade, and global resource allocation.

Chen Shiguang, commercial consul of the Consulate General of Thailand in Shanghai, sees the China-Laos railway as a bridge for economic and trade cooperation between China and Thailand. Thailand has in recent years been fast-tracking the connection between Laem Chabang port and China-Laos railway to deepen economic and trade collaboration.

The forum, supported by CIIE, aims to create new opportunities and make the Chinese market more accessible to companies in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Throughout the forum, officials and practitioners introduced the business environment of Kunming in Yunnan province, policies of the China-Laos Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone, and the construction plans of the Mohan International port.

Discussions also covered opportunities for ASEAN agricultural products in the railway supply chain system and the overall outlook of the China-Laos railway for Southeast Asian trade.