Didi hires van drivers

RIDE-HAILING giant Didi Chuxing is hiring van and truck drivers in 10 Chinese cities as it plans to join the already crowded on-demand logistics industry to diversify its business.

In a hiring notice, Didi said it is hiring 580 van and truck drivers in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen for its on-demand logistics services. Didi sorts the vehicles in five categories, from small vans to 4.2-meter-long trucks. It requires drivers to have certain licences and will offer to train them, it said.

Iron ore

BRAZIL’S Vale SA expects iron ore shipments to China to rise in 2020 versus 2019 due to falling demand in other countries hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, the China Iron and Steel Association said after a telephone call with the miner.

Vale shipped 190 million tons of iron ore and pellets to China in 2019.

Gold exporters

THE central bank and customs authority said Tuesday they would simplify procedures for companies exporting gold, following a slump in domestic demand for the metal.

Companies applying to export gold no longer need to submit physical gold inventory certificates approved by the State Council, or gold production capacity certificates, the central bank said.

Logistics firms

THE government will encourage large logistics firms to merge in order to enhance their competitiveness and capabilities, the State Council said in a statement Tuesday.

It will also support the construction of major logistics hubs through funding such as special bonds issued by local governments, as well as encouraging banks to step up financing for logistics firms, the statement said.