Chongqing - Chongqing strengthened trade links with Southeast Asia on Feb 9 as nearly 6,000 cases of Laos’ Savan beer arrived, marking the first time the brand entered China via general trade using the China–Laos Railway under the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC).

Nearly 6,000 cases of Savan beer from Laos arrived in Chongqing on February 9. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

Savan beer, brewed in the city of Savannakhet, Laos, is crafted from locally sourced fragrant rice and spring water, resulting in a distinctive malt and rice flavor. The beer has gained popularity due to its exotic appeal, becoming a favorite among consumers both in Laos and abroad. 

The shipment to Chongqing, which previously would have taken around 20 days by sea, benefited from the faster transport times provided by the new rail link. With the ILSTC, the beer's journey was reduced to just four days, a significant improvement in efficiency.

The Pan-European Railway Port Company, which manages Chongqing's international railway port, has secured the exclusive domestic distribution rights for Savan beer. In the coming weeks, the beer will be distributed throughout Chongqing, including in major supermarkets, restaurants, and online retail platforms, just in time for the Chinese New Year. 

The company has also established a comprehensive supply chain system that includes warehousing and transportation services, ensuring that the beer reaches its destination quickly and efficiently.

This successful import of Savan beer is part of a broader effort to diversify the range of products flowing into Chongqing through the  Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Pan-European Railway Port Company has already brought in other agricultural products from BRI countries, including cassava powder from Laos and beef from Brazil, offering these goods at prices 10% lower than those available on the market. 

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its offerings by importing Laotian durian, coffee, and Cambodian cashews, further enriching the city's trade network and providing more affordable options for local consumers.

As China's BRI continues to expand, Chongqing's position as a logistics hub is expected to strengthen, bringing more global high-quality products into the city. 

The initiative is reshaping Chongqing’s economy, shifting the city from its traditional focus on logistics to a more diversified port economy. As a result, products are expected to be sold at prices up to 10% lower than previous imports, benefiting local consumers and boosting the broader economy.

Chongqing plays a key role in China’s BRI by serving as the inland operations hub of the ILSTC, a rail–road–sea network that connects western China to Southeast Asia and helps expand trade links with ASEAN by moving export and import cargo more directly to and from regional markets.