Heat pumps manufacturer Outes – from Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – signed a strategic cooperation deal worth 50 million yuan ($7.86 million) with German pumps manufacturer Wilo on Nov 6.

That gave Lishui a great start to the 5th China International Import Expo, which took place in Shanghai on Nov 5-10.

The company expects both sides to reap mutual commercial gains and it introduced its heat pump products to markets at home and abroad through such business cooperation, according to Outes vice-president Zhang Shuqian.

The Lishui Commerce Bureau attached great importance to the expo, aiming to take advantage of the platform to promote the city's investment attractions and procurement appeals. This time, the city organized for 224 local enterprises to attend the event.

One of its enterprises even brought a live broadcast team to promote its products both online and on-site during the event. "We want to introduce our products to the world through this way," said the organizer He Bin – who brought wine, food and daily necessities to the expo.

This time around, the expo received exhibitors from 145 countries, regions and international organizations. Its commerce exhibition – which was attended by 284 Fortune 500 companies – was composed of six exhibition areas themed on food and agricultural products, automobiles, technical equipment, consumer goods, medical equipment and healthcare and the services trade, respectively.

In the wake of the expo, the 5th Overseas Chinese Imported Commodities Expo and Qingtian Imported Wine Trade Fair – and the 3rd International Coffee Expo – are set to be held in Lishui's Qingtian county on Nov 19-22, attracting global buyers.