The "Export to China · SCO Premium Choice" Import Commodity Procurement Matchmaking Conference, held in Qingdao, Shandong, serves as a platform for trade between China and SCO nations. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An import commodity procurement matchmaking event, themed "Export to China · SCO Premium Choice", began on March 30 in Qingdao. The aim is to strengthen economic ties between Shandong and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries through targeted matchmaking for local governments and businesses.

During the event, Shandong signed a cooperation memorandum with Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region. Key initiatives unveiled included a guide on SCO sub-national economic cooperation, Shandong's 2026 import procurement list for SCO markets, and a recommended directory of local partners.

The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao also released its curated import catalog and supporting policies, while a supply chain initiative was launched by 10 leading retail enterprises.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev praised the strong Shandong-Kazakhstan relationship, with bilateral trade reaching $6 billion last year and increasing over 40 percent year-on-year in the first two months this year. He highlighted the strong economic cooperation and pledged deeper industrial and logistical cooperation.

The two-day event includes business matchmaking sessions, online negotiations, and a parallel event in Orenburg, Russia. As part of China's "shared big market · export to China" initiative, the fair aims to provide broader channels for SCO goods entering the Chinese market while offering new opportunities for Shandong businesses to expand into SCO member countries.

SCO Deputy Secretary General Batir Tursunov, Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Shakkaliyev Arman, and other senior officials from Uzbekistan, Cambodia, and Belarus attended the opening ceremony in Qingdao, focusing on deepening regional cooperation and expanding import trade.

Buyers visit a Russian exhibition pavilion. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]