3rd GDTE’s 1st int'l delegation commends HZ’s port visa service

"This is my first time in Hangzhou and my first time attending the GDTE. " said Oke Irwan from Indonesia, giving a thumbs-up for the attentive service after arriving at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on Sept 24.

With the third Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) approaching, Hangzhou welcomed its first national business delegation— a team of 16 representatives from Indonesia including Oke Irwan, a representative from an Indonesian state-owned enterprise. He arrived with eagerness to experience new technologies and seek new collaborations in Hangzhou, dubbed as the "first city of the digital economy".

Teguh Prasetya, head of the Indonesian delegation and vice president of the Indonesian MASTEL, stated that the purpose of their visit is to explore cooperation opportunities with China in the field of digital economy, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. "We hope that through this expo, we can connect with more Chinese companies and jointly promote the development of the digital economy."

In addition to the port visa process, he also praised the various thoughtful services provided by Hangzhou Expo Group: "This year, the GDTE arranged one-on-one meetings for us with relevant parties, partners, and key personnel, which is an extremely valuable opportunity. Such considerate arrangements not only save us time but also improve efficiency, allowing us to focus on building valuable business relationships."
The third Global Digital Trade Expo will be held from Sep 25 to 29, 2024 at Hangzhou Grand Convention and Expo Center. This year's expo sees participation from nearly a hundred countries and international organizations, attracting thousands of digital trade enterprises and tens of thousands of professional buyers. As the host city, Hangzhou offers not only a convenient port visa service at the airport but also special customs channels and various guidance services to ensure the best customs experience, allowing international partners to pass through quickly. James Reginald Colimon, Deputy Director of Global Affairs & Protocol of Boston, also successfully entered China through the port visa process for the first time. "Boston and Hangzhou have been sister cities for the past 43 years. So I'm glad to see the organizers making it easier for people to have a visa, so they can participate in the international trade conference. It’s very friendly, excellent, and efficient, promoting international exchange and showcasing Hangzhou's openness and hospitality," He remarked.
Since September 2023, Hangzhou has continuously explored innovations in the "Port Visa Application and Management" system, optimizing the online application process for port visas. This provides a one-stop, paperless application service for organizations inviting foreign personnel to enter, achieving "online application with quick on-site signing." In 2024, this initiative has assisted various enterprises, including Bosch Electric Hangzhou Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd., in facilitating the entry of 80 foreign personnel through port visas, leading the province in this regard. The initiative has generated over 1.4 billion yuan in import and export transaction value. The "multiplier" effect of this year's GDTE continues to unfold, with events like the 2024 Smart City Expo World Congress Hangzhou Stage and the Ninth Hangzhou International Sister Cities Mayors Forum scheduled to take place alongside the expo, expected to further promote international exchange and cooperation while optimizing Hangzhou's business environment.
Journalist: Li Zheng, Chen Miaolin
Editor: Chen Miaolin
Senior editor: Li Zheng, Zhou Ji
Source: Hangzhoufeel