The two-day matchmaking conference inspired 861 cooperation intention deals during this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) held from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

The Trade and Investment Matchmaking Conference, part of the ongoing China International Import Expo, has borne fruit in both new deals and two-way investment.

At the two-day event that ended on Saturday, 861 intention to cooperate deals were inked either online or offline.

In less than five minutes after the event's opening, a South African exhibitor and a purchaser based in Wuxi of East China's Jiangsu province signed a procurement letter of intent worth $1 million.

In addition, online matchmaking services were provided to purchasers and exhibitors unable to attend in person, with technical help by the Bank of China (BOC).

Its self-developed Global SME Matchmaking System will automatically recommend ideal partners for users based on their needs and related information after they finish registration.

Thanks to the system, Chinese buyers in 18 sub-venues of the event and overseas exhibitors were able to negotiate online more smoothly.

As part of its new drive, this year's matchmaking conference also made an effort to promote cross-border cooperation between industrial parks at home and abroad, seeking a boost in mutual investment.

As a result, international partners such as the Italian Trade Commission as well as industrial park representatives and institutions from Australia, Hungary, Thailand, Cambodia and Mexico were able to take part in multiple promotional events with Chinese companies and government departments from Zhejiang, Heilongjiang and many other provinces.

Sponsored by the CIIE Bureau, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and the BOC, the matchmaking event attracted a total of 674 exhibitors and 1,351 buyers from 64 countries and regions, and covered all six exhibition areas of the expo.

Wang Bingnan, vice-minister of commerce and director-general of the CIIE Bureau, Wu Qing, vice-mayor of Shanghai, and BOC governor Wang Jiang gave speeches at its opening ceremony, which was presided over by Wang Wei, vice-governor of the BOC.

Heads of trade and business promotion groups from Japan, Greece, Singapore, Mexico and Brazil addressed the meeting via video.

By Lin Hong