In the first two months of 2024, Jingjiang – the county-level city administered by Taizhou, in East China's Jiangsu province – posted a whopping 182 percent surge year-on-year in the total value of imports and exports, which hit $1.39 billion.
The upwards spike in the period was mainly driven by the city's shipbuilding industry – with a huge 463.2 percent gain in new ship exports – and the development of traditional and emerging industries.
The private sector played a crucial role, achieving an impressive 234.7 percent year-on-year expansion in imports and exports. In addition, three quarters of the city's companies engaged in foreign trade posted positive growth.
The city also saw a massive 526.7 percent increase in the value of imports and exports with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
What's more, Jingjiang Customs has been actively improving its services to support the development of foreign trade. Tailor-made service programs have been implemented for shipping lines and measures have been explored to streamline the efficiency of customs clearances.
Elsewhere, the issuance of certificates of origin during the two months saw significant gains, helping businesses to access hefty tariff concessions.
Expectations are that the strong start to the city's foreign trade in the first two months of the year will continue apace.