The Vibrant Zhejiang exhibition area is seen at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Nov 5. [Photo/Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province]

The 8th China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10, where Zhejiang province carried out seven major initiatives focused on investment promotion, international procurement, and cultural exchange.

This year, more than 47,000 professional buyers from Zhejiang attended the expo. At the province's centralized import procurement signing ceremony on Nov 5, 24 overseas suppliers from 14 countries and regions — including the United States, Brazil, and Switzerland — signed 24 import deals with 20 Zhejiang enterprises, totaling about 14.5 billion yuan ($2.03 billion). The agreements covered advanced equipment, energy resources, and agricultural products.

On Nov 7, at the Zhejiang international medical materials procurement signing event, 40 companies — including several Fortune 500 firms — signed contracts worth 9 billion yuan.

The Vibrant Zhejiang exhibition area features the province's eight signature traditional industries: tea, silk, rice wine, traditional Chinese medicine, woodcarving, stone engraving, scholarly arts, and celadon. The pavilion featured 60 time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritage projects.

Zhejiang also hosted more than 30 supporting events during the expo, including 13 major investment promotion sessions and other activities focused on global cooperation and trade.