Businessmen from local trade companies in South Africa inquire about a product at the fourth China South Africa Trade Fair hosted in South Africa by Hangzhou and other Chinese cities. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Hangzhou commerce bureau recently issued a notice on promoting and using a new digital trade service platform aimed at helping the city's foreign trade companies explore more business opportunities amid the current outbreak.

Hangzhou foreign trade companies have experienced a number of difficulties exploring the overseas market since the outbreak of the virus. The digital trade service platform designed by Hangzhou authorities has proved to be a solution to this problem.

Companies can access the platform on the official website of the Hangzhou commerce bureau. It includes company profiles, online training services, and company credit records. Companies can also discuss trade opportunities on the platform.

The platform was recently updated with the introduction of a portal that shares global investment information and allows users to inquire about online investment in 68 cities across 57 countries.

An official from the Hangzhou commerce bureau said that Hangzhou was China's first city to launch the digital foreign trade service platform last July.

“By the end of last year, 2,547 companies had registered on the platform and uploaded information on 20,358 products,” the official said, “companies have found a total of 24,629 overseas buyers through the platform.”

Moving forward, Hangzhou will encourage foreign companies to register on the platform and will offer more training services to help companies make better use of the platform.

Hangzhou also plans to hold a trade expo in Indonesia after the epidemic dies down. Hangzhou has already hosted and co-hosted nine exhibitions, and plans to host more exhibitions in other countries to provide a platform for the city's companies to showcase themselves.

To motivate more Hangzhou foreign trade companies to participate in overseas exhibitions held by Hangzhou in Poland, Mexico, South Africa, India, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Egypt, Hangzhou will partner with Meorient International Exhibition Co Ltd to cover ticket and accommodation costs for 1,000 participating local trade companies.