A brand promotion center was inaugurated at the 2016 China Brand Economy (Shanghai) Forum on July 23, as a part of the city's efforts to accelerate its brand economy development, according to local media.

The center will focus on organizing brand-themed forums and exhibitions, establishing a brand development database, compiling and issuing brand indexes, releasing brand development reports, and offering consulting services.

Together with the previously-launched design promotion center and fashion promotion center, the brand promotion center is expected to promote Shanghai's transformation from a product economy to a brand economy.

The name Shanghai is a world-famous brand by itself and the city is now working on institutional innovation and environment optimization to develop its brand economy, said Xu Yibo, vice chairman of Shanghai Municipal Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference, at the forum. He also emphasized that the city would do more to improve the city's brand, cultural soft power, as well as its international influence.