A United Nations-backed platform in Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District is helping more Chinese businesses access the UN's global procurement market.
Launched in June 2021 in the Qingpu area of the Hongqiao CBD, the Sustainable Procurement Service Platform falls under the Knowledge-Sharing, Capacity-Building and Supporting Service Programme on Sustainable Procurement of UN/International Organisations.
It is the first platform in Asia directly supported by UN agencies to connect domestic companies with international public procurement opportunities.
It was jointly established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges under the Ministry of Commerce, the Qingpu District People's Government and Canhui International.
The UN purchases between $22 billion and $30 billion worth of goods and services each year. Although Chinese-made products account for more than 30 percent of total procurement, fewer than 2 percent of Chinese companies supply the UN directly.
The platform helps businesses overcome barriers such as supplier registration, bidding procedures and international compliance requirements.
As of July 17, it had released 136,740 UN procurement notices, identified and translated 3,939 business opportunities, and helped 1,469 small and medium-sized enterprises register as UN suppliers.
The platform also hosts regular training, one-on-one consulting and the annual China-UN Procurement Conference, where UN procurement officials meet directly with Chinese companies.
Beyond UN procurement, it has introduced a "UN Procurement Plus" model, offering services including logistics, customs, branding and overseas market support to help businesses expand globally.
