It's smiles all round as the Lishui Coffee Industry Association is launched. [Photo/WeChat account: ls-mnews]

In order to boost the high-quality development of the city's coffee industry, Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province launched the Lishui Coffee Industry Association on May 28, according to local media reports.

Lishui released the Action Plan for Promoting the Development of Coffee Industry last September, which outlined a three-year goal for the sector.

Since then, cafes have sprung up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, with the number to date increasing to 120, a 292.67 percent year-on-year increase.

According to officials, the association will provide a platform for the municipal government's overall guidance, for personnel training, as well as to provide strong support for the synergetic development of upstream and downstream ventures.

"After the establishment of the association, it will become a bridge linking local coffee enterprises and the government and play a positive role in promoting the sustainable development of the industry," said Chen Qiaoqiao, secretary-general of the association.

To date, the association has recruited 81 unit members and 108 individual members.