The first Shanghe Business Connect was held in the expanded format in Shanghai on 16 January 2020 as part of celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
It was organised by Yan'an Jiutian Technology Co., Ltd., the SCOLAR Network youth platform for SCO countries, and the United Centre for Business Cooperation under the SCO Business Council Secretariat (UCBC Beijing).
Shanghe Business Connect pursues the mission of bringing together the best practices and tools from companies in e-commerce, AI and Fintech from China and SCO countries, as well as creating innovative IT and digital economy projects. The event was attended by representatives of local authorities and businesses and diplomats from SCO countries.
Vladimir Norov pointed out in his video message that the SCO countries continued to jointly fight the coronavirus pandemic, which, along with causing significant damage to the economy and public health, has accelerated the process of digital transformation in almost all sectors of the socioeconomic life of the member states.
The SCO Secretary-General focused on the development of the digital economy and active use of modern digital technologies, which can play a decisive role in overcoming the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and in creating new sources of economic growth in the SCO countries. He added that the SCO comprised a huge market for the implementation of joint innovative IT and digital economy projects.
Vladimir Norov told the participants that the SCO leaders who took part in the Heads of Government Council meeting in November 2020 emphasised the increasing importance of exchanging experience of creating and implementing digital economy programmes and the use of innovative technology for stimulating the SCO countries' economic growth and enhancing their economic competitiveness.
He noted in conclusion of his remarks that the strengthening of the SCO countries' digital connectivity would open up new prospects and opportunities for economic development and increase their investment appeal, and noted in this context the importance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal to hold a China-SCO Digital Economy Forum in Chongqing in 2021.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sherali Jonon, who addressed the opening ceremony in person, said that the SCO countries were paying special attention to the development of that sector, because stronger practical cooperation would enhance the member states' technological competitiveness and socioeconomic wellbeing. He noted that the event was well timed and important for the exchange of experience and the establishment of practical contacts between companies in the field of e-commerce and smart technologies, as well as for launching innovative IT and digital economy projects.
SCO Business Council Executive Secretary Sergei Kanavsky pointed out in his video message that digitalisation was becoming a key element in promoting the SCO member states' mutually beneficial economic cooperation and economic modernisation of individual regions and production facilities.
Sergei Kanavsky noted the priority importance of these activities for ensuring economic growth and enhancing competitiveness on the domestic and international markets. He added that the implementation of e-commerce, AI and big data projects was becoming a key priority and that energetic activities in that sphere would help boost cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, agriculture and transport infrastructure.
Permanent representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan at the SCO Secretariat noted in their statements that e-commerce had become an integral part of the economy during the pandemic and that their countries were actively promoting digitalisation. They also called for exchanging knowledge and modern technologies and providing investment support to new projects.
These permanent representatives highlighted the importance of promoting cooperation for developing forward-looking national ICT, creating e-commerce platforms and a ramified digital infrastructure, and improving the relevant legal framework. A proposal was put forth in this context to hold a roundtable conference on digital economy, e-commerce and innovation in Dushanbe in 2021.
Chinese representatives informed the meeting about the performance of their businesses in healthcare, energy, robotic engineering and smart cities system. They also mentioned the preparation of projects in the field of data processing, interface and digital agriculture.
During the panel discussions on integrating the e-commerce landscape and opening up access to AI and Fintech for regional development, representatives of Chinese companies and SCO countries spoke about promoting closer interaction in the region, the performance of the mechanisms supporting companies' emergence on SCO markets, as well as opening up access to modern technologies.
The event concluded with a trip to the Financial Valley in Shanghai's Jiading District, where the participants saw prototypes of urban infrastructure for smart cities.
