DCCI workshop commerce landscape

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DCCI, has hosted a workshop for its members and the business community in Dubai, focussing on the key consumption and e-commerce trends reshaping China’s e-commerce sector, as well as the potential for UAE companies to capitalise on new opportunities in the market.
Titled, "Navigating China’s B2C E-commerce Landscape," the workshop addressed a wide range of potential product categories that could be exported from the UAE to meet China’s fast-growing consumer demand, including halal food, dates, jewellery, fragrances, cosmetics, baby products, fashion and textiles.
During his opening remarks, Omar Khan, Director of International Offices at DCCI, said that China remains Dubai’s top trading partner as non-oil bilateral amounted to $45 billion in 2016, accounting for 13 percent of the emirate’s total non-oil trade during the year.
He explained that there was a lot of scope for UAE companies to expand the range of exported products to China as the country’s middle class rapidly expands. "The timing for this is ideal as Chinese consumers are increasingly looking for trusted and high-end brands from all corners of the globe."
Khan also spoke about recent developments related to cross-border e-commerce in China, including steps taken by the government to ease the entry process for foreign companies and exporters that want to sell directly to Chinese consumers.
He also stated that the Chamber’s Shanghai-based office has achieved considerable progress since it opened last October, noting that it has worked to effectively promote Dubai as an attractive trade and investment hub, and build important relationships with public and private stakeholders. He added that the number of Chinese companies that have registered with Dubai Chamber has increased steadily in recent months to reach 3,300.
Participants were also briefed on value-added support services and tools that Dubai Chamber provides its members and businesses in the emirate, including the B2B e-commerce portal launched in co-operation with Alibaba.com, and its "Trusted Member" label scheme, which enhances companies’ e-trade reputation and trustworthiness globally.
During her presentation, Scarlett Xing, Regional Business Director of China-based travel agency Ctrip, shared insights into the shopping trends of Chinese travellers and revealed that Chinese tourists spent $120 billion abroad in 2016. She pointed out that the number of Chinese visitors coming to Dubai has grown exponentially in recent years.
"It is a huge business opportunity for retailers to co-operate with Chinese platforms to target Chinese consumers through online and offline channels," said Xing, adding that foreign retailers should adopt an online and offline approach to target domestic consumers and outbound tourists.

Source: WAM