LHASA - An online commodity trading platform specialized in Tibetan goods was launched Monday in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.

The Tibet Jinxiu Commodity Trading Center -- www.chnte.net -- trades Tibetan medicines, agricultural produce, gem stones, jades, painting and other art pieces. Its operation combines e-commerce, commodity trade, modern logistics, and traditional retail shops, said Xu Chenyang, director of the trading center.

Xu said Tibet has rich natural resources but the region's products have been hard to reach the world's major markets due to connectivity constraints. The trading platform, he said, would help bridge the gap and boost the development of Tibet's traditional economic sectors.