Steen Jakobsen (far right), vice-president of Dubai Business Events, the official convention bureau of Dubai and a division of the department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, talks with Nantong officials at a convention on Dec 16. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A Belt and Road overseas workstation was established by Nantong, a city in East China's Jiangsu province, on Dec 16 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

The workstation was unveiled at a convention held by the Association of Nantong Merchants Abroad. It is meant to give overseas entrepreneurs a chance to share their experiences and discuss how to sustainably develop their businesses under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Since the launch of reform and opening-up in 1978, a total of 100,000 Nantong businesspeople have done business abroad.

The UAE, as China's largest export destination and second largest trading partner in the Middle East, has attracted more than 3,000 Nantong businesspeople due to its stable economic development, international business environment, and preferential policies.

As early as the 1980s, some Nantong construction companies had already started exploring the market on the Arabian Peninsula.

"The UAE workstation will spare no effort in promoting economic cooperation and cultural exchange between Nantong and the UAE and ensuring the safety of Nantong merchants," said Zhang Xiangui, head of the station.