Around 30 representatives from overseas Chinese enterprises and institutions based in 11 countries and regions, including Central Asia, attended a business matchmaking event at the Longhua International Cooperation Center on Aug. 2, where they engaged in in-depth exchanges with 25 local enterprises.

The event, jointly hosted by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, the Shenzhen Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and the Shenzhen Overseas Exchange Association, aims to promote mutual understanding and exchange between overseas Chinese enterprises and local companies in Longhua.

A scene at the business matchmaking event between Shenzhen- and Central Asia-based enterprises at Longhua International Cooperation Center. Nanfang Plus

Six Shenzhen companies and seven Central Asian companies held roadshows at the event to introduce their products, technologies and cooperation intention. Among the local companies, three were from Longhua District, showcasing cutting-edge technology products such as data management model, dredging machine and smart watch.

The event has garnered procurement requests across various sectors, including robotic apartment butlers, smart home devices, projectors, digital education products, and wine snacks. According to preliminary survey results, participating companies, along with local enterprises showcasing products at LICC, secured intended procurement deals worth approximately 20 million yuan.

Several overseas enterprises have expressed interest in setting up offices in Longhua.

Shenzhen and Central Asia complement each other industrially, according to district official Zhan Huijun at the event. Enterprises looking to enter the Central Asian market can leverage Longhua District’s strengths in industrial internet and artificial intelligence, as well as resources provided by platforms such as the Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC), the district’s cross-border e-commerce industrial park, and 11 designated overseas enterprise service points to support their global expansion.

A representative from the Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Think Tank (OCTT), one of the event’s organizers, announced that this year’s Overseas Chinese Trade Fair (OCTF) Intelligent Technology Exhibition---a flagship event hosted by the think tank---will take place in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, on Sept. 25 and 26.

The overseas Chinese enterprise delegation also visited Shenzhen CtoneTech Group Co., Ltd. in Longhua District and an exhibition hall showcasing local enterprises’ overseas business and relevant products.