Sourcing conference opens in Linyi with 2,000 overseas buyers and 4,000 domestic counterparts
The 4th Linyi Trade City International Sourcing Conference opened at the Linyi International Expo Center in Linyi, East China's Shandong province, on the morning of Oct 28, drawing more than 2,000 international buyers from over 110 countries and regions in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, along with more than 4,000 domestic buyers.
"Linking the world's supermarkets means using Linyi's market scale to connect domestic and international markets and resources; sourcing global quality goods means two-way openness — bringing good products in and sending Shandong goods out," said Chen Baiwei, director of the Shandong provincial foreign affairs office, at the opening ceremony.
Abdullah, vice chairman of the Africa-China Cooperation and Development Association for Investment, said Linyi's large specialized markets, rich product range and flexible supply capacity strongly match African demand.
"Since Linyi launched the Going Global, Connecting the World campaign, trade of Linyi goods to Kazakhstan has grown remarkably. Hardware tools, machinery, general merchandise and labor protection products are popular there, and import demand keeps rising," said Tuziyev Tonzha, general manager of ALA International Logistics of Kazakhstan, adding that he hopes to build a China-Kazakhstan logistics corridor with Linyi as a national procurement base supplying Kazakhstan's largest e-commerce platform.
The conference runs three supporting events: the Linyi Export Commodities Expo with 10 product zones and 1,200 standard booths; the 2026 precision sourcing matchmaking meeting, which brought 40 overseas buyers together with 60 Linyi exporters in hardware and building materials; and the Linyi International Product Selection Center session at the 60,000-square-meter facility.
The exhibition floor was busy from the opening. Buyers scanned codes, asked prices and posed for photos as interpreters moved between booths. "This is my second time in Linyi. There are so many good-value products and real business opportunities here," said Zheng Huiling, deputy chairwoman of the Women's Section of the Malaysian Chinese Association.
Shandong Dajing Electric Vehicle Co staged test rides for foreign buyers. Carlos, a Brazilian buyer who met the company at the Canton Fair, came to Linyi specifically for the conference. "Electric vehicles are popular in Brazil. These are well-built and durable, and I look forward to closing a deal," he said.
A foreign trade service area staffed by nine government departments and 35 service providers offers customs, logistics, tax, translation, finance and legal services in one place, with the Laiyitong mini-program handling pre-registration and demand matching.
In the first three quarters, Linyi organized more than 2,300 company visits to overseas fairs, built 18 international selection centers and set up overseas service stations in 11 countries.
Editor：韩蒙蒙