Photo/Convergence Media Center of Beijing E-Town

A business networking event held by the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), also known as Beijing E-Town, during the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) brought together companies, overseas business associations and professional service providers to explore opportunities for international expansion. The event, themed around helping innovation-driven industries go global, extended the area's presence at the expo into practical discussions on trade and investment cooperation.

The salon introduced a roundtable format combining country, industry sector, and business needs. Three sessions focused on the electronics and information technology sector in Malaysia, the digital economy in Singapore, and intelligent manufacturing in Indonesia.

Participants included overseas business associations from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia; Beijing E-Town companies expanding internationally, including Maimai Technology, WeRide and AIsphere; and compliance service providers such as InCorp International. Discussions addressed common challenges facing companies entering overseas markets, including product certification, data compliance, local operations, cross-border financing and employment. Participants shared practical experience, discussed potential partnerships and explored ways to support business development in their respective markets.

Li Ting, vice-president of the Regional Business Group and general manager of the Robotics Division at Maimai Technology Group, said the platform had allowed the company to showcase its agricultural AI capabilities and raise its profile in international markets. Discussions with overseas business associations and financial and compliance service providers had also provided practical information on local product certification, investment and employment requirements, helping the company better understand the importance of compliance in overseas operations.

A representative of an overseas business association said the discussions could help reduce information gaps and give Beijing E-Town companies a more comprehensive understanding of foreign markets, enabling them to make better-informed investment decisions. The association also expressed interest in building closer connections between companies in Beijing E-Town and overseas industry partners, with the aim of developing concrete cooperation projects.

The salon was part of Beijing E-Town's broader effort to use the CIIE as a platform for helping local companies identify international opportunities and build overseas partnerships. During the event, a representative outlined the area's approach to providing end-to-end support for companies expanding abroad.

Photo/Convergence Media Center of Beijing E-Town

A Full-Service Framework for Overseas Expansion

Beijing E-Town has established the "Beijing E-Town Gateway for Global Business" as a unified entry point for companies seeking overseas market support. Its services are organized around three approaches: coordinated expansion by groups of companies, cooperation with established overseas platforms and partners, and the development of internationally recognized brands.

The aim is to encourage companies across industrial supply chains, including hardware and software providers, to enter overseas markets together and benefit from shared resources and partnerships.

The area is also using the Beijing E-Town Comprehensive Bonded Zone - a customs-supervised zone supporting bonded trade, logistics and related activities - to improve access to international markets. Measures include developing more efficient channels for direct exports from factories, expanding support for foreign trade import and export whitelist arrangements, and strengthening logistics services through inland ports.

Targeted initiatives are also being developed to speed up customs clearance for special items used in biopharmaceutical activities, expand the number of companies obtaining Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status, and facilitate the coding and management of goods involved in bonded research and development outside the zone.

To address the needs of companies and overseas service partners, Beijing E-Town is also drawing on its "E-Town Enterprises Going Global" digital service platform and overseas integrated service bases. The goal is to help companies move beyond exporting individual products towards providing technology, standards and integrated services. One model under development combines finished products, intermediate goods and technical services to support more coordinated international expansion.

Photo/Convergence Media Center of Beijing E-Town

Trade Network Covers More Than 170 Countries and Regions

The support framework has accompanied the expansion of the area's foreign trade. Beijing E-Town's trade network now covers more than 170 countries and regions. From January to September 2026, exports from the area increased by 62.4 percent year on year, while its trade structure continued to shift from a strong reliance on imports towards a more balanced mix of imports and exports.

A representative said the salon complemented the Beijing E-Town Pavilion and the Beijing E-Town-themed exhibition in the China Pavilion at the CIIE. While the exhibition areas focused on presenting the area's technological and industrial developments, the salon concentrated on turning those capabilities into practical trade and business connections.

Beijing E-Town plans to deepen industrial and trade cooperation with Southeast Asian markets and other international partners, while further developing its support services for companies expanding overseas. The aim is to make it easier for local businesses to access international markets and participate in cross-border industrial cooperation.