The Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center is located in the core area of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area. [Photo/Dazhong Daily]

The 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Industrial and Supply Chains Forum & the SCO International Investment and Trade Expo, the SCO Sister Cities Forum and the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship will kick off concurrently in Qingdao city of Shandong province on June 14 and run till June 18.

Themed "Collaborative Endeavors for Win-Win Outcomes in Regional Economic Cooperation" and jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the Shandong provincial government, the industrial and supply chains forum aims to build bridges of communication for local governments, enterprises, and business associations of SCO member countries, explore the huge potential for regional economic and trade cooperation, as well as contribute to the resilience and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

The event consists of a main summit and multiple parallel forums, matchmaking meetings and promotional activities in key areas such as logistics and trade, new energy, biomedicine, industrial internet, green building materials, digital cities, civil aviation and cross-border credit services. To date, more than 150 foreign guests and 700 domestic guests have registered for the forum.

The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao [Photo/Dazhong Daily]

Themed "Gathering at SCO, Enjoying a Better Life" and spanning some 44,000 square meters, the SCO trade expo will showcase the latest industrial achievements and top-notch products of SCO member countries, as well as Chinese products and solutions in the fields of new energy, intelligent agriculture, cross-border e-commerce, health, smart homes and low-carbon materials.

Over 600 institutions and companies from China and abroad have applied to join the expo. To date, 270 companies, including global institutions such as the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the China-Belarus Industrial Park and Emirates Global Aluminium, have confirmed their participation, the expo will also feature nearly 200 domestic companies including Alibaba, JD, Haier, Hisense, Chery, Geely and BYD.

More than 1,000 business leaders and senior officials from China and other SCO member states will participate in the forum and the expo. Both events are expected to draw more than 40,000 visitors.

The Ministry of Commerce, together with Shandong and relevant parties, will release the Qingdao Initiative of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Industrial and Supply Chains Forum during these events.

The China-SCO Industrial Park Alliance will also be established to provide industrial parks with a platform to deepen cooperation with one another.

In addition, the 2.0 version of the China-SCO comprehensive service platform for local economic and trade cooperation will be unveiled and 41 cooperation agreements covering sectors such as procurement of goods and services, logistics, industrial investment and training will be signed.

The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao [Photo/Dazhong Daily]