East China's Shandong province has found a creative way to facilitate cooperation with Japan. The province recently held two commodity fairs in Japan, exhibiting commodities offline and discussing business online.

The 22nd Shandong Export Commodities Exhibition was held on Nov 10 in Osaka, while the 6th Shandong Agricultural Products Exhibition was held on Nov 11 in Tokyo.

Due to extensive international travel restrictions and risk of infection amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce is working with the Japan-China Economic and Trade Center, the Japan Management Association, and other overseas business organizations to help Shandong-based companies promote their products and form business relationships.

A promotional poster for the 22nd Shandong Export Commodities Exhibition is seen in Osaka, Japan. [Photo/zhonghongwang.com]

This new model featuring both offline and online channels has been well-received by overseas buyers, according to Shandong officials, who said that it helped some Shandong exhibitors reach initial cooperation agreements with overseas buyers.

According to the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, it will improve the new model and hold more trade fairs in Pakistan, Kenya, and other countries to help local enterprises explore international markets.