UKTI signs MoU with Amazon to expand e-commerce globally, particularly China

The British government's trade promotion body UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon to help the country's companies export internationally. China is identified as one of the priority markets in this MoU.

According to the MoU, UKTI will work closely with Amazon to introduce British brands and selection to worldwide markets through the Amazon platform and provide necessary support and education to grow their business on Amazon.

Meanwhile, Amazon will provide dedicated resources to facilitate British companies to engage with Amazon on a global basis, and create a full set of services to support them in selling to countries, including China, said the Seattle, U.S.-headquartered e-commerce player in a statement.

Specifically for the Chinese market, Amazon China, formed in 2004, will work with UKTI to introduce more British brands and bring in more British selection to Chinese customers with recognized quality and authenticity, attractive price, and fast and convenient delivery.

According to Amazon, PC hardware, kitchen, baby, apparel and shoes with renowned British brands are the first batch of product categories to be introduced to China following this partnership through direct import and Amazon Global Store within this year.

Michael Charlton, deputy director-general of UKTI China, said: "This partnership with Amazon provides British companies with a major opportunity to explore international markets in the digital economy and increase exports. China, as the world's largest and most dynamic e-commerce market, booms itself in cross-border recent years given Chinese customers' surging demands for international brands."

Doug Gurr, president of Amazon China, said: "The partnership with UKTI will further sharpen our edge as a trusted go-to place for any local customer looking for high-quality and authentic international selection across globe, including the UK, and as a reliable and convenient on-line channel for any UK brand who would like to export to China market."

Gurr also told Xinhua in a group interview that Amazon China is very bullish on China's e-commerce market. He said though there are some rumors or discussions on China's economic growth slump, but China's e-commerce consumption is booming. The expanding middle class in China is pursuing brands and a good quality life.

According to the PayPal/Ipsos global survey on cross-border e-commerce issued last November, Britain was the third most popular destination in the world for international shoppers as China becomes the biggest consumer of British goods online.

Approximately 25 percent of cross-border consumers buying from Britain are from China, driven mainly by demand for British apparel, footwear and accessories. Endit