CNR.com, Beijing, May 12th (Reporter Jiao Hao) According to a report by China Central Radio and Television's Economic Voice "World Finance", in the first quarter of this year, foreign trade and foreign investment in my country's pilot free trade zones achieved rapid growth. According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce on the 11th, the import and export volume of the 21 pilot free trade zones in the first quarter was 1.8 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.6%, which was 1.8 percentage points higher than that of the whole country; the actual use of foreign capital was 71.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.1%. 17.2 percentage points higher than the national level.
(Photo source: Ministry of Commerce website)
"In the first quarter of this year, the total import and export volume and the actual use of foreign capital in the 21 pilot free trade zones accounted for 19.4% and 18.1% of the 21 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) respectively." At the press conference, it was introduced that the Pilot Free Trade Zone has always given full play to the advantages of first-hand trials, and while implementing high-quality central and local policies and measures to stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment, it has actively explored new ideas for stabilizing foreign trade and foreign investment, and strived to cultivate growth. The new driving force contributes to the steady development of foreign trade and foreign investment across the country. Specifically, the Pilot Free Trade Zone mainly promotes the development of foreign trade and foreign investment from four aspects: strengthening system innovation, focusing on key industries, providing precise services, and smoothing logistics channels.
In terms of system innovation, Shu Jueting gave an example: "Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone implements paperless declaration of RCEP origin visa, and express shipments and perishable products are released within 6 hours. Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone promotes bonded and non-bonded oil and gas products. Institutional innovations such as 'storage in the same tank' and 'one warehouse with multiple functions' in export supervision warehouses."
In terms of focusing on key industries, each pilot trade zone has implemented precise policies to promote the development of advantageous industries and effectively promote the development of export-oriented industries. Shu Jueting introduced: "For example, the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone has implemented the 'Global Operator Plan' in depth, supporting headquarters enterprises to superimpose complex functions such as new trade and capital management. Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone has deployed and implemented more than 90 key R&D projects , 49 major scientific and technological achievements transformation projects, and more than 3,500 high-tech enterprises gathered in the zone.”
Many pilot free trade zones have also established a "white list" of foreign trade and foreign-funded enterprises, service ledgers, etc., to strengthen production and operation service guarantees. Actively strengthen the accessibility of international logistics, innovate and promote the convenience of logistics, transportation, and customs clearance, and serve the development of an export-oriented economy. Shu Jueting said: "This year marks the 10th anniversary of the construction of the Pilot Free Trade Zone. The Ministry of Commerce will hold a series of activities to help domestic and foreign enterprises better understand the innovative measures of the Pilot Free Trade Zone and jointly grasp new opportunities for development."
