Shanghai plans to launch a series of global supply and demand matchmaking activities for local foreign trade enterprises, starting with an activity focusing on light industry held on July 28, local media reported.

Representatives of 30 export enterprises in light industry conducted online trade contacts with chamber of commerce and merchant representatives from nine countries and regions – Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Argentina, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Under the guidance of Shanghai Commission of Commerce, the activities aim to provide specialized global trade negotiation services for local foreign trade enterprises.

Shen Weihua, deputy director of the commission, said that the activities gather together high-quality enterprises and merchants from home and abroad, and helps to shorten the process of consultation, negotiation and trial orders in international trade.

"Holding such a matchmaking activity is equivalent to the government helping us to do business," said a participant. "It actually brings us high-quality customer resources and gives our foreign trade enterprises great confidence."

The activities are supported by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Shanghai branch, Shanghai International Import Trading Services Co Ltd, and China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation Shanghai branch.