SIPG signs deal with Qatari govt

Shanghai International Port Group Co Ltd, one of China's largest ports by global cargo throughput, has signed a cooperation framework agreement with the Qatari government to provide multimodal transportation services for building sport venues of the 2022 World Cups.

Yan Jun, SIPG's president, said that as many Chinese companies will supply products such as building materials, construction machineries, steel structures, power generators, sport facilities, garments, lighting and security equipment to Qatar, the oil-rich country hopes that SIPG could help it build a multimodal transportation platform in China to ensure these goods are efficiently supplied.

Under the agreement, a trade center with strong cross-border e-commerce functions will also be established in Qatar as the country sees high demand to improve its abilities in term of building soccer stadiums, public services and security facilities.

The Qatari government in May published business cooperation documents listing products including air conditioners, electrical appliances, and telecommunication and mechanical equipment, which it needs to prepare for the World Cup.

Chinese companies such as Xuzhou Construction Machine Group and Nanjing-based SUMEC Group have provided excavators, cranes and heat-resistant power generators to their Qatari clients. Their products are already being used at the construction sites of soccer grounds and sport centers.

"Cooperation between SIPG and Qatari partners will be lucrative and all parties involved will benefit," said Yan.

SIPG is also in talks with major ports in Singapore and Malaysia to carry out information exchange and sharing services for point-to-point shipping business.

Once achieved, the whole shipping process can be seen by both shipping companies and clients through tele-control and data platform technologies.

SIPG is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Its clients include many companies in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.