The second "Universal Glue" -- Silk Road Cooperation Dialogue was held in Qingdao on Oct 14. Participants believe that the rubber industry is complementary to each other in the countries and regions along the Belt and Road, so it is perfectly possible to take the lead and jointly carry out win-win cooperation in personnel training, technology development, logistics and trade, and share market opportunities.
Fan Rende, honorary president of the China Rubber Industry Association, said that according to a special survey conducted by the association, rubber industries along the Belt and Road, whether on land or sea, are highly complementary. For example, Southeast Asia is the main producing area of natural rubber, but the scale of rubber processing industry is still relatively small; There is a certain market in Central Asia, but the development of rubber industry lags behind. Relatively speaking, China ranks first in the world in the output of tires, rubber belts, rubber products and auto parts, and has a very high level of raw materials, production equipment and testing equipment. With China as the bridge and link, the supply, processing, production and market consumption of rubber raw materials along the "Belt and Road" will be linked together, which will significantly benefit regional economic and industrial development.
Sheila Thomas, secretary-general of the Organization of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, believes that most of the member countries of the Organization of Natural Rubber Producing countries are countries along the Belt and Road. The "Belt and Road" strategy is a huge and even unprecedented opportunity for all parties, which can not only open up a large unified market, but also promote more technology development, cooperation, transfer and development. Many natural rubber-producing countries in the region pay only 60% of the selling price for rubber, and a large chunk of the profits go to middlemen. If production and demand are directly linked and the purchase price is raised to 80% of the selling price, then the business situation of rubber producers or rubber farmers will be greatly improved, to the benefit of rubber consumers.
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Pini Zarusompha believes that Southeast Asia and China are geographically adjacent and complementary in industrial structure. Besides, they already have a sound foundation for investment, economic and trade cooperation and have huge potential to further deepen industrial integration and cooperation. He welcomed Chinese investment in Thailand's rubber industry.
Ru Wanti, Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to China, introduced that the rubber industry is one of the earliest areas of cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. The "Belt and Road" strategy has played a significant role in promoting the industry, hoping to bring more investment and project alignment, especially in the field of technology research and development innovation.
According to Patrick Ness, Honorary Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium to China, Belgium ranks first in the world in terms of per capita automobile production and export volume. The automotive and rubber industries are closely linked, and the Belt and Road Initiative could greatly benefit the rubber industry in the region.
It is understood that recently, the exchanges and cooperation between China's rubber industry and "One Belt and One Road" countries, especially Southeast Asian countries, have been heating up. Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Rubber Valley Group and Prince Songkhla University of Thailand recently signed a contract to build China-Thailand Rubber College to cultivate rubber professionals and carry out technological innovation. Zhengxin Xiamen Group has set up factories in Thailand and Vietnam, and will set up factories in Indonesia and India this year.