Online retail giant Alibaba has signed a deal to open a 'smart logistics hub' at Liege Airport in Belgium, which is due to open in 2021.
The logistics arm of Alibaba Group, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Ltd, has signed a contract to lease a total area of 220,000 square metres to develop the hub, which will cost around €75 million to build.
In a statement, Alibaba said that the new hub will 'enhance overall logistics efficiency to help SMEs better manage their exports especially with the surge in global e-commerce'.
eWTP Intiative
The move comes following the signing of a deal between the Belgian government and Alibaba to promote inclusive trade under the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative.
The agreement will see both parties work to develop a more inclusive and innovative trade platform that will facilitate greater and more equitable access to cross-border trade opportunities, in particular for SMEs.
The partnership follows the signing of similar eWTP contracts in Asia and Africa over the past two years.
“I am delighted that the Government of Belgium is confident toward the eWTP vision and share our commitment," said said Alibaba Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang.
"With over 98% of European companies being small to medium businesses, this partnership signifies our initial and expanded effort to enhance inclusive trade opportunities for these businesses in Belgium and across Europe. We strongly believe that under the eWTP, we will open up the huge potential for European businesses to reap the benefits of global cross-border trade, especially into the China market where the demand for European goods is high."
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
