Bookmark and Share Kunming, China - Many of them were already business partners, and after years of engagements, the participants are now looking at moving up the value ladder in their deals, especially in the coffee industry. That's one of the buzz from the the Second China-ASEAN Industry Cooperation Conference in Kunming - capital of China's southern Yunnan province - which attracted about 280 entrepreneurs from ASEAN Member States and China. Commenting on the theme of the Conference “China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and Industry Connectivity”, Kunming Mayor Zhang Zulin, said in his opening address that his city, being a Northeastern neighbour of ASEAN, looked towards close industry cooperation and collaboration in the common desire to pursue common development. The industry groups that took part include machinery, iron and steel, food, coffee, tea, fisheries, chemical, medicines, garment, leather, furniture and stone industries. The networking discussions were held in three breakout sessions and the outcomes of each session presented at the end of the Conference. The outcomes included possible cooperation in the areas of machinery, especially in food processing; iron and steel products; petroleum for higher value-adding collaboration; and coffee and tea. The summary of the outcomes also outlined the need to overcome at and behind the border impediments, especially in the SPS requirements and Customs clearance. A Memorandum of Understanding by seven major coffee producing countries in ASEAN and China was also signed. The China-ASEAN Coffee Industry Committee hoped to facilitate trade and investment of coffee industry under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement. Earlier, the Chinese side presented the potentials of coffee consumption in China, noting that China remains a predominantly tea-drinking population. The Conference, organised by the China-ASEAN Business Council and the Municipal Government of Kunming, Yunnan Province. It was first held in September last year, with the aim for it to be an annual event. Industry representatives, leaders of business associations from ASEAN and China, government officials both from ASEAN and China were also present to take part in the interaction. The industry conference cooperation is aimed at bringing together the main industrial players of ASEAN and China to seek complementarity and synergy, to set up production networks in the long-term.

Kunming, China - Many of them were already business partners, and after years of engagements, the participants are now looking at moving up the value ladder in their deals, especially in the coffee industry. That's one of the buzz from the the Second China-ASEAN Industry Cooperation Conference in Kunming - capital of China's southern Yunnan province - which attracted about 280 entrepreneurs from ASEAN Member States and China. Commenting on the theme of the Conference “China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and Industry Connectivity”, Kunming Mayor Zhang Zulin, said in his opening address that his city, being a Northeastern neighbour of ASEAN, looked towards close industry cooperation and collaboration in the common desire to pursue common development. The industry groups that took part include machinery, iron and steel, food, coffee, tea, fisheries, chemical, medicines, garment, leather, furniture and stone industries. The networking discussions were held in three breakout sessions and the outcomes of each session presented at the end of the Conference. The outcomes included possible cooperation in the areas of machinery, especially in food processing; iron and steel products; petroleum for higher value-adding collaboration; and coffee and tea. The summary of the outcomes also outlined the need to overcome at and behind the border impediments, especially in the SPS requirements and Customs clearance. A Memorandum of Understanding by seven major coffee producing countries in ASEAN and China was also signed. The China-ASEAN Coffee Industry Committee hoped to facilitate trade and investment of coffee industry under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement. Earlier, the Chinese side presented the potentials of coffee consumption in China, noting that China remains a predominantly tea-drinking population. The Conference, organised by the China-ASEAN Business Council and the Municipal Government of Kunming, Yunnan Province. It was first held in September last year, with the aim for it to be an annual event. Industry representatives, leaders of business associations from ASEAN and China, government officials both from ASEAN and China were also present to take part in the interaction. The industry conference cooperation is aimed at bringing together the main industrial players of ASEAN and China to seek complementarity and synergy, to set up production networks in the long-term.