A trade fair focusing on trade cooperation with countries from South and Southeast Asia opens in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province on Dec 17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

   A trade fair focusing on trade cooperation with countries from South and Southeast Asia took place in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province on Dec 17.

   The event welcomed nearly 30 outstanding companies in South and Southeast Asian countries engaged in the production of mechanical equipment, household furniture, clothing, medical equipment, agriculture and heavy-duty vehicles.

   It aims to provide purchasers from Jinan as well as South and Southeast Asian countries a platform to exchange trade information and deepen relations.

   The two-day event will also strengthen cooperation ties among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

   Officials said that Jinan's foreign trade maintained steady growth in 2019. The total value of exports and imports in the first 10 months of the year was nearly 90 billion yuan ($12.85 billion).

   The value of the city's exports to countries in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and South Asia reached 10 billion yuan and 5 billion yuan respectively.

   The export products cover electricity, advanced technologies, chemical industry, food and vegetables.

   With the establishment of Jinan area of Shandong Pilot Free Trade Zone, the city is speeding up its steps in opening-up to outside world.