The South-South Global Assets and Technology Exchange, a project started by the United Nations Development Program, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Railway Materials Co Ltd in Shanghai on Wednesday to provide railway materials to developing countries.

"We aim to set up a supply chain platform for developing countries to use Chinese railway resources by cooperating with the company," said Lin Jian, president and chief executive officer of the Shanghai-based SS-Gate.

Lin made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 7th Annual Conference of SS-Gate under the theme low-carbon and development, which was co-sponsored by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, and the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange.

Under the agreement, he said, the two parties will export 1 billion yuan ($160 million) worth of railway technology, equipment and services to overseas markets next year.

"The trade volume is expected to grow if things go on well," Lin said.

"Our purpose is to open outlets for Chinese companies to do overseas business by means of our 40 working points in 37 countries," Lin said.

SS-Gate is a virtual and physical platform where entrepreneurs in developing countries can interact and obtain technology, assets and finance.