This year marks the “Year of China” within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Guided by the shared commitment to consolidating and strengthening the SCO, the trade between China and other member states has witnessed new growth, breakthroughs, and fresh momentum.
As an important port city and foreign trade hub in the Yangtze River Delta, Ningbo has leveraged its world-class port infrastructure and open economic system to continuously expand trade with SCO member states and broaden areas of cooperation. According to Ningbo Customs, from January to May of this year, Beilun District recorded RMB 14.55 billion in imports and exports with other SCO member states, accounting for 36.7% of the city’s total trade with the region. This included RMB 8.93 billion in exports and RMB 5.62 billion in imports.
Pakistan, one of the SCO member states, is located near the Indian Ocean and is rich in deep-sea fishery resources. Its high-quality seafood is widely favored by Chinese consumers. Recently, Chinatex Raw Materials International Trading Co., Ltd. declared a shipment of frozen cuttlefish using the customs “advance declaration” model. The documents were approved within just a few hours. Upon the vessel’s arrival at port early the next morning, the shipment was automatically released.
“The import process of this batch of goods went very smooth, thanks to the facilitation measures such as two-step declaration, advance declaration and electronic payment promoted by Ningbo Customs,” said Lin Zixu, the company’s business manager. “Ningbo Port enjoys clear regional advantages, with many large-scale seafood wholesale markets and convenient transportation. We import a large volume of frozen cuttlefish originating from Pakistan through Ningbo Port every year.”
In addition to importing high-quality products from SCO member states, China is also exporting its competitively priced and high-quality goods to these countries through the SCO framework. Electromechanical products are a key component of Ningbo’s export industry cluster. Many local manufacturers are seizing the opportunity to expand their international reach and promote their products in other SCO markets.
“Ningbo Customs is committed to promoting the efficient and stable development of regional trade with SCO member states by advancing trade facilitation measures, implementing streamlined supervision services such as immediate document review and on-site inspection upon arrival, continuously reducing customs clearance costs, and optimizing the port business environment. At the same time, we will continue to implement the ‘Pro-Clear Direct Access’ mechanism, which focuses on responsive and transparent services tailored to enterprise needs. We aim to better understand businesses, provide proactive and targeted assistance, and support enterprises in expanding into overseas markets,” said Zhao Yuechen, Chief of the Export Division of Beilun Customs under Ningbo Customs. (Reporter: Cheng Baige; Correspondents: Tian Yanan, Jiang Xin, Shi Mingyang, Yu Biyun)