Hanoi (VNA) – Since its opening in September 2022, the China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange (CAMEX) has become a hub for thousands of high-quality goods from Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, alongside products from China. The initiative supports the goal of making the China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) a “365-day non-stop exhibition”.
CAMEX features 17 themed pavilions, including 10 dedicated to ASEAN member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – as well as a regional pavilion from Guangxi, China. It also hosts a special World Halal Trade Centre and themed areas for other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) members such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Each pavilion combines distinctive architectural and cultural elements with displays of unique national products, offering visitors an immersive experience. Beyond promoting economic and trade exchanges, CAMEX provides support services such as translation, business registration, investment and financial consultancy, resource connection, talent training and brand management. These services are designed to attract domestic and foreign enterprises to invest or establish operations in Guangxi, while also helping them expand into other parts of China.
Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in China, Zhang Yiwen, General Manager of CAMEX’s International Market, said the centre has showcased more than 5,500 products and organised around 300 online and offline themed events since its launch. It has also welcomed numerous government and business delegations, fostering cooperation in trade, investment and other fields.
Alongside on-site exhibitions, CAMEX operates an online trading platform to boost transactions and sales. Popular items include Vietnamese tea and coffee, Malaysian durians, Indonesian kopi luwak (civet coffee), Singaporean bak kut teh sausages, Thai sauces and Myanmar beer – all of which have proved highly popular with consumers.
Zhang noted that many Vietnamese products are now displayed at the centre. While Vietnam has long been known for its high-quality goods, these were previously little recognised among Chinese consumers and importers. CAMEX, he said, serves both as a platform to promote Vietnamese products in China and as a channel to connect enterprises from the two countries. It also provides advisory and market access services, helping Vietnamese businesses reduce the burden of navigating the Chinese market so they can focus on operations.
Beyond being a first stop for ASEAN companies entering China, and a key “window” for Chinese firms expanding to foreign markets, CAMEX is playing an important role in strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and regional countries across trade, culture, education, finance, youth exchanges and tourism./.
