The Middle East-based express carrier Aramex and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer retailers promoting their products via the online platform “hktdc.com Small Orders” favourable shipping rates with Aramex.
As part of the joint promotion, suppliers on hktdc.com Small Orders will be able to profit from 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 MENA region seeking to source quality products on hktdc.com Small Orders,” HKTDC said.
Launched in December 2014, hktdc.com Small Orders features over 9,000 suppliers and more than 100,000 products available for order in quantities of between five and 1,000 items. Hktdc.com Small Orders is part of the HKTDC’s online marketplace (hktdc.com), which features more than 130,000 suppliers and 1.6 million registered buyers.
The MoU was signed in Dubai by Aramex CEO, Hussein Hachem, and HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, Benjamin Chau.
"It gives us great pleasure to be partnering with HKTDC. China presents one of the greatest business opportunities for us and we believe this agreement will play a major role in boosting Aramex brand awareness in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong markets. We look forward for more cooperation and opportunities in the near future,” Hachem said.
“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). With Aramex's specialty in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, we are opening the door to a market of huge economic potential and trade opportunities for our buyers and suppliers," Chau commented.
A survey conducted by the HKTDC in October 2015 revealed that more than 80% of buyers favour the business model of sourcing in small quantities. HKTDC explained that this model enables more flexible sourcing so that companies can respond more quickly to the latest market situation.
The HKTDC’s four-in-one platform, which comprises the online marketplace, trade fairs, trade publications and a mobile app, aims to help SMEs capture business opportunities effectively and efficiently. “Combining the strengths of our physical trade fairs and our trusted online marketplace, we offer suppliers and buyers a comprehensive O2O (online-to-offline) marketing solution, which connects them with the world market all year round,” HKTDC said in a statement.
Aramex employs more than 13,800 staff in over 350 locations across 60 countries worldwide.
