An online transaction platform is to be jointly promoted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and global logistics provider Aramex.
Under an agreement, suppliers on the HKTDC.com Small Orders transaction platform will have lower shipping costs when delivering via Aramex’s worldwide network, which is particularly strong in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This also presents more attractive and competitive offers for buyers from the region seeking to source products. The MoU was signed in Dubai by HKTDC deputy-executive director Benjamin Chau and Aramex CEO Hussein Hachem.
“The partnership will further facilitate small-volume online transactions, which are becoming an increasingly prevalent sourcing model, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” says Chau. “With Aramex’s specialty in the Middle East and North Africa region, we are opening the door to a market of huge economic potential and trade opportunities for our buyers and suppliers.”
With China presenting one of its greatest business opportunities, Hussein Hachem says the agreement will play a major role in boosting Aramex brand awareness in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong markets.
In a HKTDC survey in October, more than 80 per cent of buyers commended the business model of sourcing in small quantities. This model enables more flexible sourcing so companies can respond more quickly to market situations.
The “small order” model is also beneficial to suppliers seeking to test the market and maintain a low inventory through small-volume orders. The HKTDC.com Small Orders platform welcomes participation from MENA region suppliers looking to sell to Asia and to the world. To trade directly with buyers online, a supplier needs only to become a verified supplier with HKTDC.com Small Orders, and set up a commercial account with PayPal. Qualified transactions will be covered by PayPal’s Seller Protection Program.
Aramex offers businesses such services as international and domestic express delivery, freight forwarding, logistics and warehousing, records and information management, and eBusiness and online-shopping services. The company employs more than 13,800 professionals in more than 350 locations across 60 countries.
Launched late in 2014, HKTDC.com Small Orders offers quality products that can be ordered in quantities of between five and 1000 items. Buyers can order from verified suppliers over the platform. Instant payment and shipping arrangements are available for selected products. The platform has so far featured more than 9000 suppliers and more than 100,000 products. Last year it won WebAwards in the categories of Directory or Search Engine Standard of Excellence, International Business Standard of Excellence and Small Business Standard of Excellence. Its mobile site won the MobileWebAward in the Best International Business Mobile Website last year.
HKTDC.com Small Orders is part of the HKTDC’s online marketplace, which features more than 130,000 suppliers and 1.6 million registered buyers.