At the invitation of Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), from May 20 to 22, Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs to visit Barbados. Ren attended and addressed the first Global Supply Chain Forum co-hosted by UNCTAD and the Barbados Government, and signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two organizations with Grynspan. Chinese Ambassador to Barbados Yan Xiusheng also attended relevant activities.
In his speech, Ren Hongbin noted that with the rapid development of economic globalization, the integration of the global supply chain is picking up speed, driving the world economy and human society forward. All countries, including developing countries, are important parts of the global supply chain. Thus, all parties should enhance connectivity and strive to build a global development partnership. China is the beneficiary, contributor and upholder of the integrated development of the global supply chain. In addition to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Security Initiative that it has proposed, China has continued to promote high-standard opening-up and accelerated the fostering of new quality productive forces. These efforts have injected enduring impetus for global supply chain development. In 2023, China creatively held the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), the world’s first supply chain-themed exhibition. It provides a high-quality platform for deepening international cooperation in the supply chain. Ren welcomed the participation of all parties concerned in the second CISCE.
During the forum, Ren Hongbin attended and addressed the Release of the Global Supply Chain Promotion Report (English version) and the 2nd CISCE Promotion Event hosted by the CCPIT. He had talks with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley. Apart from Rebeca Grynspan, Ren met with other attendees. Among them were Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ryder, Director General of the Division of Transport, Trade and Sustainable Development, Association of Caribbean States, Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Kaye-Anne Greenidge, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Barbados, the national investment promotion agency, Adrian Padmore, Chairman of Export Barbados, Darwin Telemaque, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua Port Authority, and Bud Darr, Executive Vice President of Mediterranean Shipping Company. Ren Hongbin introduced to them China’s economic prospects, progress in pursuing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development, and its commitment to high-standard opening up. Furthermore, in-depth dialogues were conducted on strengthening cooperation in the supply chain and other areas with international organizations and Barbados.
