Work is in progress by Pacific Trade Invest China (PTI) on a “Mini Program” on WeChat which, when finished, will be a direct bridge to connect Pacific exporters with potential Chinese buyers.
PTI China Trade Commissioner Mona Mato said it was part of their effort to leverage China’s booming digital economy, finding the most suitable platforms to list Pacific products and capitalize on trading opportunities.
“We have been studying China’s major digital e-commerce platforms, including Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent, and have established our presence on some of them. For example, PTI China’s social media account on Tencent’s WeChat, has been our major window to showcase Pacific brands and products, as well as Pacific cultures and PTI China’s own branding and profiling,” he said, in PTI Focus, December 2022 issue.
Mr Mato said while much of the world began to open its borders in 2022, China’s strict “COVID-Zero Tolerance” policy and ongoing resurgence of pandemic outbreaks had left them operating in an environment of unforeseeable lockdowns, quarantines and restrictions on travel, including disruptions of supply chains and transportation, providing ongoing uncertainty and challenges for Pacific exporters to China.
“With the ongoing uncertainty, we took the opportunity to look at alternative ways to support Pacific businesses and improve the livelihoods of the people who call the Pacific home.”
Mr Mato said growing their strategic partnerships and building respectful relationships with their key stakeholders has been a pillar of strength in their bid to support Pacific businesses through COVID.
“As we welcome 2023, we can look back with pride at our journey navigating through troubled waters to find the opportunities to support our Blue Pacific home. Of course, all this could not have been possible without the efforts of my Beijing colleagues and the support around us. I believe that when moving forward, one should always focus on one’s internal strengths. We did just that.”
