eCommerce logistics hub for CEE-China agricultural products opens in Bulgaria

BULGARIA's Trakia economic zone near Plovdiv has become home to the first eCommerce and logistics hub and pavilion for agricultural products established under the 16+1 cooperation mechanism between China and 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. The hub will promote commodity exchange by providing a place to exhibit and sell products along with a full range of transport and supporting logistics services, reported Xinhua news agency. The project was implemented by the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the CEE Countries (APACCCEEC) with the backing of Bulgaria's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Bulgaria's deputy agriculture minister Lozana Vassileva said at the inauguration ceremony that the logistics hub would become a modern bridge for more successful and reliable cooperation between CEE countries and China. "We hope that it will be a good example for the other CEE countries in expanding the cooperation with the Chinese economy," Mr Vassileva was quoted as saying. Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Zhang Haizhou said the newly opened logistics hub provided another platform for multilateral agricultural cooperation. APACCCEEC executive director Vasil Gelev added: "We welcome all companies interested in investing and trading to join our project."