One-stop hub helps digital enterprises venture into Belt and Road markets

To propel enterprises from China's digital economy into countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and the wider global market, Beijing has established the Innovation Service Hub for Digital Economy Enterprises Going Global. It is the nation's first government-led, market-driven, one-stop service platform tailored to aid such businesses in their foreign ventures.

Located in Beijing's Daxing Economic Development Zone, the service hub, now 10 months into its operation, is set to become the primary launchpad for enterprises in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province that aspire to expand abroad. It will also act as a gateway for foreign enterprises to enter into China, leveraging Daxing district's proximity to Tianjin and Hebei, Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Beijing China-Japan Innovation and Cooperation Demonstration Zone.

The service hub is fostering an export-oriented digital economy industrial cluster, offering eight essential services including consultation, overseas promotion and international talent support.

The service hub has created cooperative mechanisms with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other BRI countries. It has aided in the entry of two Chinese companies into the UAE, and one into Malaysia. Additionally, eight Chinese companies have secured overseas orders through the hub.

Gu Guilin, CEO of Beijing-based digital solutions provider Asiacom Technology, told chinanews.com: "The construction of digital infrastructure in BRI countries has presented tremendous collaboration opportunities for our company.

"With rapid advancements in big data and artificial intelligence, the BRI and Digital Silk Road offer enterprises remarkable growth potential. However, initial ventures into international markets often pose challenges such as diverse local regulations regarding employment and taxation. The service hub, by inviting seasoned State-owned enterprises to share their insights and facilitating connections, has played a crucial role in overcoming these hurdles."

In 2024, a Daxing-based pharmaceutical company faced international supply chain disruptions and required international materials to sustain operations. The service hub quickly proposed alternative procurement routes through Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. The proposed solutions, leveraging international networks, ensured the company's stable operations.

The service hub has created a "Go Global" brand, organizing events tailored to enterprises' evolving needs. This includes a Go Global Network, which builds strategic relationships with institutions from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Malaysia and other BRI countries.

The Go Global Talk series has organized more than 30 forums on international cooperation and business matchmaking. Meanwhile, the Go Global Tour has led 20 enterprises to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Italy, participating in international trade exhibitions such as the Mobile World Congress. The hub plans to organize at least 15 Go Global Talk events in 2025.

The Go Global Visit initiative organized enterprises such as Asiacom Technology to visit the UAE embassy in China to foster government connections.

Zhang Lei, deputy general manager of the service hub, told chinanews.com: "The Go Global Talk series aims to establish the right mindset among enterprises going global, offering guidance during their preparatory phase. Through selecting high-quality partner organizations utilizing government channels, we unlock more opportunities and help enterprises expand overseas cost-effectively and efficiently."

Song Qingchen, head of the overseas business division at Beijing-based cloud communications service provider RongCloud, said the frequent training and exchange activities organized by the service hub provide them with invaluable communication platforms. "During our 2024 Middle East tour with the service hub, we showcased our national-level communication solutions to nearly 300 officials and enterprise representatives from over 100 countries," Song said.

To support foreign enterprises, the service hub offers comprehensive foreign direct investment services, assisting them with registration, project approval and tax planning. It also provides innovation incubation spaces, meeting the companies' office and operational needs.

In addition, the service hub has set up a communication platform for upstream and downstream partners, organizing seminars and business matchmaking meetings to strengthen local resource networks. It also connects businesses with investment and financing institutions to support their sustainable growth in Beijing.