Focus on BRICS: The China Center for Cooperation on Special Economic Zones in BRICS Countries opens in the Qiantang district of Hangzhou in March. [Photo/WeChat account: zjfbwx]

Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, has introduced a new set of measures to deepen economic and trade ties with BRICS nations — focusing on emerging digital industries and cross-border commerce.

The measures aim to encourage digital trade enterprises from BRICS countries to set up headquarters in the city and to support the expansion of the New Three cultural industries — games, short dramas, and online literature — into the BRICS markets.

Cross-border livestreaming cooperation with BRICS countries will be promoted, alongside support for network infrastructure and overseas marketing. Companies are also being encouraged to establish offices in major global trading hubs like Dubai.

The initiative follows the launch of the China Center for Cooperation on Special Economic Zones in BRICS Countries in Hangzhou in March. The center serves as a high-level platform to foster cooperation, with a focus on two-way investment. Hangzhou will back Chinese companies investing in BRICS countries, building industrial parks, participating in infrastructure projects and establishing R&D centers.

To facilitate trade, Hangzhou aims to streamline its customs procedures, establish dedicated logistics hubs for BRICS exports, and improve inspection processes for sectors like biomedicines and smart manufacturing.

What's more, efforts are underway to enhance international logistics links. Airline Emirates will launch a new direct flight between Hangzhou and Dubai on July 30, marking Hangzhou as the airline's fifth Chinese gateway after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Driven by the initiatives, Hangzhou's trade with BRICS countries has surged. From January to May, exports to BRICS and partner nations rose 17 percent year-on-year, with total trade hitting 93.6 billion yuan ($13.0 billion), making BRICS markets a key driver of the city's foreign trade growth.

Planes are parked overnight at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]