The third Global Digital Trade Expo provides a unique opportunity to showcase innovative technologies, products and ecosystems in global digital trade, while offering an open forum for exploring new markets and fostering opportunities for economic and trade collaboration, said Zhaslan Madiyev, minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, at the launch ceremony of the expo in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 25.

The third Global Digital Trade Expo opens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 25. Photo provided to ZICC.

"Kazakhstan, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, aims to play a key role in the rapidly evolving global e-commerce landscape. The strategic location in Eurasia makes Kazakhstan a natural bridge between East and West, providing companies with access to a wide and diverse consumer market," said Madiyev.

As guest country of honor of the expo, Kazakhstan has established strong cooperation relations with major Chinese e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and JD, further strengthening its role in the global digital trade arena, while Chinese delivery company YTO Express is partnering with Kazakhstan to build the largest e-commerce logistics center in Central Asia. This initiative will enhance the speed and efficiency of cross-border trade and open up new opportunities for both Kazakhstani and Chinese businesses, he noted.

He added that Kazakhstan looks forward to further deepening its collaboration with China in areas such as logistics, digital trade and the creation of new technological hubs.

The expo, with the theme of "Digital Trade, Global Access", has attracted more than 1,500 companies from 32 countries and regions, and over 6,000 overseas buyers.

Reporter Cheng Dengyu, Xu Zhitian