The Director of GTI Secretariat, Mr. Lawrence Hoomyung Lee, met with Mr. Li Guoqing, Deputy Director-General of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Bureau, on March 31, 2025, to discuss GTI's future participation in CIIE activities.

Following GTI's engagement in the 2019 CIIE and Hongqiao Economic Forum, this meeting marked an important step toward enhancing GTI's presence at this significant international trade platform.

During the discussions, both sides explored arrangements for GTI's involvement in upcoming CIIE events, including participation in the Hongqiao Economic Forum. The meeting also addressed potential joint events focusing on regional economic integration, global economic governance, digital empowerment, green development, and inclusive development.

The cooperation with CIIE is expected to strengthen GTI's efforts in promoting economic cooperation across Northeast Asia and create new opportunities for regional stakeholders.

The GTI Secretariat visited the Asia Pacific Model E-Port Network (APMEN) Operational Center in Shanghai on April 1, 2025, as part of implementing the GTI Digital Economy Cooperation Roadmap endorsed by the GTI Consultative Commission in 2023.

During the visit, the GTI delegation met with Professor Yao Weiqun, Director of Shanghai Institute for Strategy of International Trade Center and head of the APMEN Operational Center.

The visit offered in-depth insights into e-port systems and transportation and logistics infrastructure in Shanghai, with discussions focusing on potential customs cooperation mechanisms with the GTI Customs Sub-Committee.

This engagement represents a significant step toward implementing the GTI Digital Economy Cooperation Roadmap, which emphasizes trade facilitation, investment cooperation, inclusive digital transformation, MSMEs cooperation, and capacity building. The GTI delegation explored future collaboration opportunities with APMEN to leverage digital technologies for sustainable development in Northeast Asia.

The GTI Secretariat visited the New Development Bank (NDB) headquarters in Shanghai on April 1, 2025, to study the bank's operational structure and regional cooperation initiatives.

During the visit, discussions focused on NDB's successful case studies in regional development projects and potential collaboration opportunities with the GTI EXIM Banks Association. The delegation gained valuable insights into NDB's financing mechanisms and its approach to supporting sustainable infrastructure and development across emerging economies.

The meeting provided a platform for exchanging views on regional financial cooperation between NDB and GTI.

This engagement aligns with GTI's ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and expand financing options for regional economic development initiatives.