The Mexico segment of the 2020 Nantong Famous Brand Overseas Online Trade Fair opens on Nov 24, promoting medical supplies, textiles, electronics, and sporting products. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Online sales in Nantong increased 4.7 percent year on year during the first 11 months of this year with a value of 64.6 billion yuan ($9.36 billion), according to statistics released by the city's commerce bureau on Dec 16.

The city's online trade demonstration center has organized six online fairs since its establishment in September, providing services to nearly 1,000 companies and helping stabilize foreign trade amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Online trade has witnessed a boom during the global health crisis, offering a great opportunity for Nantong to upgrade its traditional trade techniques," said Zuo Xiaoming, deputy director of the commerce bureau.

The city launched its online trade demonstration center on Sept 19 and has since arranged more than 1,500 business talks involving textiles and anti-epidemic products. It has also attracted nearly 500 buyers from Africa and Latin America.

During the 128th China Import and Export Fair, more than 370 local exhibitors inked 1,151 deals valued at $60.81 million, accounting for 17.5 percent of the Jiangsu delegation's total turnover.

In order to boost the development of online trade, the Nantong government has sent professional teams to offer detailed instructions to companies. A cross-border e-commerce industrial alliance was also set up, attracting more than 250 members.

Officials revealed that 50 activities involving talent recruitment, business salons, and project road shows will be held next year.

In addition, more efforts will be made to promote the integration of online and offline trade, set standards for the management of online projects, and improve the team’s innovation capabilities and service quality, officials said.