Shandong’s Automotive Supply Chain Gains Greater Access to a Strategic Middle Eastern Sourcing Hub Through the Event.
The Shandong Quality World Wide Shandong Automotive & Auto Parts Industry Promotion Matchmaking Conference was successfully held at the Sharjah Expo Centre in the UAE on August 4.
Organised by the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province, the event served as the inaugural session of the 2026 Industry-Specific Policy Initiative for Overseas Market Expansion, focusing on Shandong’s premium export clusters in the automotive and auto parts sectors. Leveraging the international platform of the 5th UAE-China Tyre & Auto Parts Exhibition (METAS 2026), the conference brought Shandong’s integrated automotive supply chain to a strategic Middle Eastern sourcing hub, helping local manufacturers connect with global buyers and secure new business opportunities.
As one of China’s leading automotive manufacturing bases with a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, Shandong has developed highly competitive and globally recognised auto component clusters. A delegation of 51 high-quality Shandong manufacturers participated in the conference, showcasing a broad range of products, including passenger vehicle parts, commercial vehicle components, tyres and wheel rims, new energy vehicle three-electric systems, automotive electronics, chassis systems and braking assemblies.
The showcased products were specifically adapted to meet the needs of the Middle Eastern market, including demanding conditions such as high temperatures, sandy environments and right-hand-drive vehicle requirements. All participating companies possess international trade qualifications and are capable of providing standardised quotations, reliable supply capacity and customised solutions to meet diverse procurement needs from buyers worldwide.
Held alongside METAS EXPO 2026, the conference attracted more than 120 professional overseas buyers for face-to-face negotiations, representing over 100 countries and regions across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and South Asia. Buyers were invited through multiple channels, including METAS EXPO’s buyer database, long-term customers of Dubai JTO auto parts retail outlets, targeted visits to Deira Auto Parts Market, referrals from foreign consulates and chambers of commerce in the UAE, and overseas social media outreach campaigns.
Ahead of the event, big data technology was used to analyse buyer requirements and match them with participating manufacturers, enabling customised one-on-one meeting schedules. Dedicated negotiation areas were also arranged at the venue, significantly improving the efficiency of supply-demand connections and creating new opportunities for international cooperation.
The venue was divided into three dedicated zones: an exhibition display area, a main stage, and a private one-on-one negotiation area. The exhibition zone featured five key modules, including an industrial cluster map showcasing Shandong’s auto parts sector, an introduction to the Shandong Automotive Global Expansion Alliance, detailed information on the Industry-Specific Policy Initiative for automotive export clusters, physical samples and scale models of best-selling vehicles and auto parts tailored to Middle Eastern markets, as well as digital displays highlighting major industry associations and participating enterprises.
Through this integrated exhibition format, the event provided a comprehensive showcase of Shandong’s strong manufacturing capabilities and the coordinated strengths of its complete automotive supply chain.
During the event, more than 90 in-depth business matchmaking sessions were successfully conducted. Suppliers and buyers held extensive discussions on customised product development, bulk procurement cooperation, exclusive regional distribution, overseas warehouse consignment sales and cross-border logistics solutions. On-site negotiations resulted in tentative cooperation agreements valued at more than US$6.8 million, further demonstrating the strong international demand for Shandong’s automotive products.
Participating Shandong manufacturers said the matchmaking event effectively connected them with genuine purchasing demands, helping reduce the high costs associated with independent overseas market exploration. By enabling direct engagement with established distributors from multiple regions, the event provided a one-stop platform for expanding sales channels and strengthening their market presence across the Middle East and Africa.
Overseas buyers also recognised the advantages of Shandong’s comprehensive automotive industrial ecosystem, noting that it provides reliable supply capacity, stable delivery cycles and products well adapted to local road conditions and market requirements. Many buyers expressed plans to broaden procurement categories and establish long-term strategic supply chain partnerships with Shandong enterprises.
The Sharjah session marked the launch of the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province’s 2026 Industry-Specific Policy Initiative for the automotive and auto parts export clusters. Three additional targeted matchmaking events are scheduled for later this year, to be held alongside the Liangshan Special Purpose Vehicle Exhibition, the 140th Canton Fair and Automechanika Shanghai. These events will continue supporting Shandong’s competitive industries, including tyres, special-purpose vehicles, new energy vehicle components and automotive electronics, in expanding their global market reach.
Looking ahead, the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province will strengthen collaboration with leading domestic and international trade platforms and organise regular industry promotion activities and targeted sourcing matchmaking events under the Industry-Specific Policy framework. The initiative aims to further reduce overseas market expansion costs for small and medium-sized enterprises, enhance the global influence of “Shandong Quality World Wide”, and steadily increase the international competitiveness and market share of Shandong-made products.
