BERGAMO - Chinese logistics company Shanghai Haibo and Shanghai-based Qiaolab consulting firm have signed an agreement to create "the first Chinese hub in Italy," aimed at improving exports of Italian agri-food products to China, Xinhua learned at the weekend.

The project, which also has the objective to import Chinese products to Italy in a second phase, was based on "integrated logistics" between the two countries to promote exchange in a high-potential sector, Qiaolab CEO Alberto Fattori said. The Italian hub will be located in the northern city of Bergamo.

Qiaolab will help select, based on quality standards, the Italian companies and provide them procedural, logistical and commercial assistance. Around 100 companies have been chosen so far out of 500 requests, a statement from Qiaolab said.

Shanghai Haibo, a subsidiary of China's second-largest food group Bright Food, will make use of its logistics and distribution structure to make the Italian products arrive on China's shelves. Bright Food Group has more than 3,300 retail stores and 650 hotels and restaurants in China, according to the statement.

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