China's experience is exported again: Alibaba eWTP and Thailand jointly build the first digital free trade zone

On December 8, the first digital free trade zone jointly built by Alibaba eWTP and Thailand officially began trial operation. This is a landmark progress since the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between eWTP and Thailand in 2018. It will become more convenient , faster and more compliant for domestic small and medium-sized enterprises to export to Thailand . This is also Thailand’s first free trade zone established through digital means .

In China , the cross-border e-commerce bonded model has gone through an 8-year exploration period. The completion of the Thailand Digital Free Trade Zone also marks a successful replication of China's cross-border e-commerce bonded model in Thailand.

Reporters learned that the Thailand Digital Free Trade Zone is located in the conveniently located Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand, adjacent to the main artery of Thailand's economy, and covers an area of ​​40,000 square meters . eWTP has worked closely with the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand and the Thai Customs to jointly complete the innovative model of the digital free trade zone .

( Photo: Digital Free Trade Zone jointly built by eWTP and Thailand )

"Through the e WTP Thailand Public Service Platform, we can achieve digital supervision of the entire process of the free trade zone. From the entry of goods into Thailand to their final delivery to consumers, digital technology can make the goods traceable and linkable; especially in the process of transit, the real-time positioning of electronic locks can ensure the integrity and safety of the goods, and ensure the real-time supervision of the entire process by Thai Customs, which makes us feel very relieved. " said a Thai customs staff.

It is understood that eWTP is a world electronic trade platform initiated by Alibaba and participated by multiple parties. It aims to promote public-private dialogue, promote new practices and new models, and jointly create a practical and effective policy and business environment for the healthy development of cross-border e-commerce, helping developing countries and least developed countries, small and medium-sized enterprises, and young people around the world to enter the global market and participate in global trade more conveniently . The eWTP Thailand Digital Free Trade Zone is public and open to all Chinese companies and Thai small and medium-sized enterprises, opening up new space for regionalized digital trade.

Thailand is a logistics hub connecting Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia, and is also one of the best places for e-commerce companies to develop regional distribution and logistics systems. The reporter learned that after the eWTP Thailand Digital Free Trade Zone is put into use, cross-border goods can be stocked in bonded warehouses after completing the entry declaration . Under this new model, the fulfillment time of cross-border e-commerce from China to Thailand will be reduced from 10 days to 3 days.

After eight years of exploration, China's innovative cross-border e-commerce regulatory model has promoted the healthy development of China's cross-border e-commerce. According to a report by the Bangkok Post in August, the online retail market involving B2C and C2C in Thailand is expected to reach 4 trillion baht in 2025, with an average growth rate of 75% from 2022 to 2025 .

(Photo: Thai Customs inspects the digital free trade zone)

"The completion of Thailand's first digital free trade zone not only marks the successful replication of China's digital supervision and cross-border e-commerce innovation model in Thailand , but also exports good practical experience for the future development of local cross-border e-commerce in Thailand . " Song Juntao, Secretary-General of Alibaba Group's eWTP, said, "The technological means we used in the Thailand project, such as electronic locks and paperless processes, have well supported the digital supervision of Thai Customs and enabled this first digital free trade zone to run smoothly . "

Alibaba eWTP

Digital Free Trade Zone

Thailand