ASEAN trade plaza in Guangxi, China to have 50,000 sqm rent-free for 5 years

Plans are firming up for a trade plaza in Guangxi, China that could help bolster economic ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following a call by Chinese representatives on the Philippine official there.   China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangxi Committee Division Director for Conventions Shijun Deng led officials in calling on Consul General Raly Tejada.   "The 50,000 square meter ASEAN specialties trade area would be housed on the fourth floor of the Trade Plaza 4 of China South City Nanning.  The Plaza will be divided into two phases and will showcase products of ASEAN-member countries.  Each ASEAN country will be allotted an average of 5,000 square meters each with free rental for up to five years," the DFA said. Deng and officials and representatives from China South City Holdings Limited and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) Secretariat called on Tejada to discuss the opening of the China-ASEAN Plaza in Nanning, Guangxi.   Also, Deng told Tejada the establishment of the China-ASEAN Plaza is a project headed by CCPIT Guangxi Committee and the CABIS Secretariat.   He added it is in response to the proposal made by Premier Wen Jiabao during the 8th China-Asean Expo in October 2011.   Deng added the Guangxi government is focused on this project as it is envisioned to be the first group center between China and the ASEAN countries.   He also informed Tejada of their scheduled visit to the Philippines on March 13 to 15 to search for promotion partners.   For his part, Tejada congratulated CABIS for this endeavor and expressed the Consulate's support as it sees the benefit will not only redound to ASEAN but to the Philippines as well.   He also assured Deng that the Consulate will extend all possible assistance to make their March visit to the Philippines a success. — ELR, GMA News