Local government moves to support increase in exports

Zhanjiang's trade with Europe in the first four months of 2014 increased 15 percent from a year ago, making a good start for the city in western Guangdong province to achieve its target of 6 percent growth in the overall foreign trade this year.

While the city's exports to Europe from January to April decreased 20.8 percent to $73.53 million, its imports grew 170 percent year-on-year.

Exports were mainly aquatic, marine, mechanical and electrical products along with plywood and furniture sold to countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, Austria and Belgium.

Imports were mainly fertilizer, paper pulp, iron pyrite, machines and electrical products. Major trade partners include Finland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

To strengthen ties with Europe, a trade delegation led by Zhanjiang's mayor Wang Zhongbing will visit France, Germany and Italy later this month.

The Zhanjiang government will also improve its services to help local exporters grow, said Wang Xiaosui, director of the city's bureau of foreign trade and economic cooperation.

"We encourage local enterprises to go out to participate in professional trade fairs at home and abroad to expand their networks and seek orders," Wang told China Daily.

"To build a favorable environment for foreign trade, our bureau stays in regular contact with other government bodies and institutions including customs, quality inspection, finance and tax bureaus as well as the foreign affairs office," Wang said.

As a port city, Zhanjiang has an advantage in sea transport, especially in shipping goods to and from Southeast Asian countries. To give a full play to the advantage, since last year Wang's bureau has cooperated with the customs to initiate reforms on clearance procedures at the city's ports.

The around-the-clock service for reserving clearance is already in use. Xiahai became the city's pilot port on Oct 30 last year to simplify clearance procedures.

As a result, enterprises no longer need to declare goods for customs clearance and have them inspected separately any more. Customs staff requires enterprises to open the containers only once for inspection.

Wang said the new procedure will be promoted to all the first-class ports in Zhanjiang this year.

The city government will also establish a bonded logistics center this year, Wang added.

Construction on the new bulk cargo wharf for iron ore in Xiashan Port will be completed within the year.

Construction on office buildings and living communities in Donghai Island Port is expected to begin this year to build complementary facilities for the mega steel and petrochemical projects on Donghai Island.