The China (Yiwu) - Bahamas Trade Cooperation Forum is held online on Aug 9. [Photo/WeChat account: yiwuwaishi]

The China (Yiwu) - Bahamas Trade Cooperation Forum was held online on Aug 9, aiming to promote economic exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

The forum was sponsored by the local government of Yiwu, China Embassy in the Bahamas, Bahamas Trade Commission, and Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation, inviting about 100 government officials and representatives of enterprises.

Dai Liqing, Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas, praised Yiwu for its support for the development of enterprises while carrying out epidemic prevention and control work.

Dai pointed out that China and the Bahamas are important trade partners. In 2021, trade between the two countries saw 40-percent growth despite challenges, showing strong potential for cooperation.

Dai said he expected Yiwu, a major manufacturing and export hub in Zhejiang province, to explore feasible models to help expand the Bahamas' direct trade with China and strengthen cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises in the two places.

Wang Wei, deputy mayor of Yiwu, agreed with Dai to promote cooperation between the two sides in trade, cross-border e-commerce, exhibitions and entrepreneurship, and the establishment of long-term cooperative relations.

Bahamas is located east of Florida in the United States and north of Cuba and the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the richest countries in the Caribbean, with a per capita GDP of more than $30,000, second only to the United States and Canada among countries in the Western Hemisphere. Tourism, finance and shipping are the pillar industries of its national economy.