Hainan – China
A delegation from the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, led by H.E. Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, Advisor to the Arab Economic Unity Council and Chairman of AFDE, met with Ms. Ning Hongwen, Chairperson of the Hainan Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and President of the Hainan Chamber of Commerce, as part of AFDE’s tour in China. The meeting focused on exploring partnership opportunities in trade and investment, and connecting Arab companies with the Hainan Free Trade Port environment.
During the meeting, Ms. Ning highlighted the role of CCPIT Hainan in supporting businesses and facilitating their engagement with global markets, through investment information services, organizing business meetings, and launching programs to promote trade and cooperation opportunities. She emphasized that the Council prioritizes building communication bridges between the Hainan business community and its counterparts in various countries, including Arab nations, noting that Hainan offers an attractive environment for startups and entrepreneurs.
Both sides discussed ways to align these efforts with AFDE’s Arab Digital Economy Vision, through practical initiatives such as facilitating Arab–Chinese business meetings, establishing permanent platforms to showcase Arab products and services in Hainan, and providing channels for funding and developing joint digital projects. This approach aims to expand access for Arab companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—to the Chinese and broader Asian markets.
The discussions also highlighted the opportunities offered by the Hainan Free Trade Port, including tax incentives and streamlined procedures that simplify market entry for products and services. The Chinese side noted that the island plans to implement a special customs system by December 2025, positioning Hainan as a key hub for trade and logistics between China and the rest of the world.
Ms. Ning praised AFDE’s efforts to build institutional partnerships with Hainan, confirming the Council’s readiness to provide the necessary information and services to connect the Arab business community with the province’s investment environment. This includes organizing dedicated promotional weeks and focused sectoral meetings in areas such as digital economy, supply chains, and e-commerce. She also noted that the Council is developing new cooperation channels with Arab chambers and investment authorities to facilitate bilateral industrial and trade collaboration.
H.E. Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri affirmed that cooperation with Hainan and the Hainan Chamber aligns with AFDE’s priorities to empower Arab digital trade and expand strategic partnerships with China. He highlighted phased action plans including business communication platforms, support for joint initiatives in smart logistics and cross-border trade, and opportunities for pilot projects within Hainan’s regulatory environment. Both sides agreed to establish a timeline for joint events and sectoral working groups to ensure practical and actionable outcomes for Arab and Chinese companies.
