On the afternoon of June 17, 2025, Workshop on Industrial Digitalization Practices among "Belt and Road" Countries was successfully held in Shanghai. Jointly organized by the CIFAL Shanghai International Training Centre and the SHEC (Shanghai Enterprises Confederation / Shanghai Enterprise Directors Association), the event brought together 25 delegates from 7 different Belt and Road countries.  In this workshop, the delegates exchanged views with representatives from SHEC member enterprises on key issues including industrial digitalization, technological collaboration, and market connectivity.

Mr. JIANG Suping, Vice President and Secretary General of the SHEC, noted in his welcome remarks that this year (2025) marks the 12th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past twelve years, the Initiative has evolved from a visionary concept into concrete actions, which has obtained significant achievements. As a comprehensive platform serving for local enterprises and companies in Shanghai, the SHEC always puts the demand by the member enterprises as the priority.  Through the “Five-Pronged Engagement Initiative”, namely assisting enterprises to engage with orders, funds, policies, partners, and markets, the SHEC has been encouraging enterprises in expanding their businesses and markets. Mr. Jiang expressed his hope that the seeds of cooperation sown through this event would take root and flourish in the fertile ground of the Belt and Road Initiative, and ultimately contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Mr. Elyas Abdulahi Mohamued, Vice President of Research and Community Engagement at Jigjiga University, delivered an address on behalf of the international delegates. He emphasized digitalization as a pivotal driver of economic growth and developmental resilience. Highlighting China’s achievements in industrial innovation and technology sharing, he noted these had made a profound impression on all participants. Mr. Mohamued concluded by expressing his aspiration for more extensive and substantive collaboration with China in the future.

In the Keynote Speech and Showcase session of this workshop, Mr. HUANG Songlin, CEO of Shanghai Wanway Digital Technology Co., Ltd., and Mr. HOU Haijiang, Executive Deputy General Manager of Global Marketing Department, CHINT Group Co., Ltd., presented the technological innovations of the enterprises in the digitalization and their market expansion strategies in Belt and Road countries respectively. Mr. Walid Aissani, Official of The African Union Commission (AUC), outlined the AUC's grand vision and strategic framework for advancing digital development. He also stressed the need to deepen regional coordination and expand international partnerships, opening up broad prospects and new opportunities for cooperation in the digital field. Ms. Olimpia Geghamyan, Director of Yerevan State University shared insights into Armenia's industrial digital transformation trends and highlighted key reforms and incentive measures implemented by the Armenian government to continuously optimize the business environment.

During this workshop, CIFAL Shanghai signed a cooperation memorandum with SHEC.  The two sides agreed to further integrate their resources to jointly build an international platform for cooperation in the field of digital transformation. This partnership aims to strengthen the innovative capabilities and global influence of Shanghai-based enterprises during their global expansion, empowering them to cultivate sustainable competitive advantages in international markets.

Mr. Wang Genxiang, Director of CIFAL Shanghai, remarked in his concluding speech that the workshop served as a concrete step in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He expressed the hope that all parties would maintain close communication and jointly promote the development of the digital economy under the Belt and Road Initiative.

This workshop was presided over by Ms. Wang Kemin, Deputy Director of CIFAL Shanghai.