Shanghai's private enterprises have propelled the city's foreign trade growth, contributing a record 39.5 percent to its total trade volume.

Fueled by innovation and government support, the private sector's import and export value reached 1.32 trillion yuan ($185.95 billion) in the first three quarters of the year, a 27.1 percent year-on-year increase from the same period last year.

Westwell, a Shanghai-based tech firm, exemplifies this growth. The company reported a 159 percent year-on-year export surge during the same period, driven by rising demand for its Q-Truck, the world's first driverless and all-electric commercial vehicle.

"Providing a full range of services for international markets is crucial for Chinese companies to set competitive prices and succeed globally," said Tan Limin, chairman of Westwell's board.

Shanghai STEP Electric Corporation, a robotics company in the city's Jiading district, has also seen significant growth. Its high-speed Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arms, or SCARA robots, have been adopted by companies such as Foxconn and Biel Crystal.

Annual sales exceeding 1,200 units helped STEP achieve almost 50 percent export growth in the first three quarters of this year.

Government support has proven essential as well. When a Shanghai-based communication technology company faced classification disputes over its split-type uninterruptible power supply, in African and Latin American markets, Shanghai Customs intervened at the World Customs Organization, securing a favorable "complete set classification", saving the company over ten million yuan annually.

Boosted by companies including Huaqin Technology and Quectel, Shanghai's electronics industry has recorded nearly 20 percent output growth since the second half of this year.

Source: Jiefang Daily