KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Sin Chew Daily) — Asean should enhance collaboration with China as international business is getting more complex, says Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong, China-Asean Business Association (CABA) president.

Speaking at the first China–Asean online trade fair by www.guoao2020.com, Lim said 2020 is the digital economy collaboration year for China and Asean.

Digital economy did not only start a new form of bilateral collaboration but also played an important role to combat COVID-19 and economic recovery, he said.

Asean drafted the Asean Digital Integration Framework Action Plan 2019-2025 last year and listed e-commerce as the top priority in Asean economic collaboration this year.

The size of e-commerce in Asean is estimated to increase from US$100 billion to US$300 billion by 2025.

Lim stressed that through the online trade sessions, CABA will be coordinating trade investment and contribute to closer China-Asean ties.

"Currently entrepreneurs from China and Asean should take the opportunity to work together through this online platform," he said.

The first China-Asean online trade fair is jointly organized by China Shippers’ Association and CABA. Its organizing partners are Leading News Era (Beijing) Culture Media Co and GUOAO (M) Ltd. Co.

Sin Chew Daily is the media partner for the online fair held from September 11 to 13.

The online trade fair offers a long- term platform for international companies to communicate and showcase their products in post COVID-19 era.