Chengdu - At the Scientific and Technological Achievements Exhibition of Belt and Road Science and Technology Exchange Conference (BRST) in June, Dr. Norbert Babcsan, CEO of Innobay Hungary Ltd., spotted a magnesium-aluminum alloy component for new energy vehicles at the Chongqing Pavilion. Recognizing its alignment with his business, he expressed immediate interest in collaboration — a potential deal sparked on the spot.

Spontaneous business matches like this are a hallmark of BRST, a government-backed platform connecting China and Belt and Road countries to foster cooperation in business, science, and technology.

On June 11, during the event, Norbert Babcsan, CEO of Innobay Hungary Ltd., took the opportunity to experience the Avatr 12 model. (Photo/Luo Huxin)

For Chinese enterprises seeking to expand abroad, institutional support is key. Ma Minxiang, Deputy Director of the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center (CSTTC), noted that platforms like CSTTC offer end-to-end support for companies entering overseas markets — from market research and product certification to official documentation and demonstration projects. Chinese enterprises not only serve the supply side of technology and products but also conduct in-depth studies and connect with the needs of the destination countries, Ma said.

Yu Jingpei, Director of the International Business Department at Haifu Medical Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized that the event has revealed a wide range of government-supported technology exchange platforms in Belt and Road countries. “In addition to our efforts, we see greater potential for international cooperation through these government-backed platforms,” Yu said.

According to Ma, China’s focus on Belt and Road collaboration lies in modern agriculture, biotechnology, environmental protection, renewable energy, and AI. A researcher from the Oil Crops Research Institute at the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences shared how the self-developed high-oil-content rapeseed variety “Qingyou No. 3” has attracted attention from Nepali experts.

Designed for mountainous terrain similar to parts of Nepal, the variety may soon be piloted in those regions. Broader partnerships are planned for countries with similar climate and geographical conditions, such as Nepal and Bangladesh, increasing the promotion of "Qingyou No.3" in the Belt and Road countries.

Enterprises and institutions from these countries see abundant opportunities for collaboration with their Chinese counterparts across these sectors. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University in Uganda, signed a cooperation agreement at the event with Chinese universities to jointly establish an environmental research lab.

“Uganda faces many natural disasters, and the experience and technology shared by our Chinese partners will help us respond more effectively,” he said. He also announced plans for a joint research lab in a Ugandan forest, which will focus on environmental protection and research on endangered species.

On June 11, various institutions from China and Belt and Road countries signed cooperation agreements at the event, marking a step forward in international collaboration. (Photo/Luo Huxin)

Meanwhile, other members of the Ugandan delegation showed keen interest in an electric vehicle model, AITO M8, which is produced in Liangjiang New Area, and was displayed at the Chongqing Pavilion, inquiring about its specifications.

According to China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, China has established science and technology cooperation ties with 161 countries and regions, signed 118 intergovernmental cooperation agreements, and joined over 200 international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.