On Oct 10, the Linyi International Product Selection Center in Shandong held its first international buyer matchmaking event since opening. Buyers from Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and other countries met directly with local manufacturers, bypassing middlemen to access premium source factories with full export qualifications.

Pakistani buyer Siddik, who studied in China and has worked in foreign trade for years, found the pet products he was seeking. "I'll visit the factory after the meeting," he said.

Having first visited Linyi half a year ago, he noted that the city offers a wide range of goods —especially labor protection and hardware products — with a competitive edge in both quality and price.

Kenyan buyer Sheila, who has sourced from Qingdao in Shandong, Guangzhou in Guangdong, and Yiwu in Zhejiang, ultimately registered a company in Linyi. "Elsewhere, it's hard to distinguish factories from middlemen, which affects pricing. But in Linyi, finding source factories is easy," she said. The selection center allows her to negotiate with multiple factories in one trip.

Local exhibitor Wang Meng, general manager of a 30-year-old enamel manufacturer, connected with an overseas buyer at the event.

"Previously, we relied on social media to find clients. Now we just display products here, and buyers come to us — faster and more effectively," Wang said. Her company plans to expand production and prepare more products for future matchmaking events.

The selection center will host regular matchmaking events to connect local manufacturers with global buyers.

[Video/Linyi International Communication Center]