BEIJING, July 12 (APP): During China’s rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Shandong Provincial People’s Government will hold the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference from July 17 to 18 this year, in Qingdao.
The conference titled “Seeking Regional Cooperation, Joining Hands for Innovative Development” will invite officials of overseas provinces, states, and cities; heads of economic and trade (industry) departments of SCO countries; envoys of SCO countries in China; entrepreneurs; and officials of the SCO Secretariat.
The Chinese representatives include officials from ministries and commissions, provincial and municipal governments, as well as central and local SOEs, and large-scale private companies that have close cooperation with the SCO countries.
The Conference consists of nine main events, including the opening ceremony, the SCO Industrial and Supply Chains Qingdao Forum, the promotion conference for provinces, states, and cities of SCO countries, and several supporting activities. The 2025 China-SCO International Investment and Trade Expo will be held concurrently in Qingdao.
The participants will exchange insights on local economic and trade cooperation, explore innovative pathways to enhance the quality and scale of two-way trade and investment, and deepen both multilateral and bilateral economic exchanges among provinces, states, and cities across SOC countries.
The conference will facilitate targeted matchmaking, in-depth discussions, and practical cooperation across a range of sectors, including economy and trade, investment, mineral resources, new energy, transportation and logistics, equipment manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation, agricultural technology, e-commerce, financial services, and international engineering contracting.
It is worth mentioning that the construction of the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) is a major strategic decision announced, arranged, and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping.
Since 2019, SCODA has been committed to strengthening: 1) exchanges and cooperation among localities from SCO countries, and building the International Logistics Center, 2) Modern Trade Center, 3) Two-Way Investment Center, 4) Commercial, Tourism, and Cultural Exchange Center, as well as 5) the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade.
It is pertinent to mention here that SCODA strives to create a gateway for SCO countries to access the Asia-Pacific market, and has become an important platform for promoting SCO local economic and trade cooperation and exchanges.