The Hongkou District Commission of Commerce unveiled a notice on Nov 4 for the implementation of the district's action plan (2024-2026) to bolster global trade.

I. Overall objectives

The district is striving to achieve the goals defined in the action plan: The proportion of its trade volume in Shanghai's total will be further increased, the growth rate of its imports and exports will exceed 15 percent by December 2026 compared with 2024 and the headquarters-based trade will be boosted — with the number of recognized trading headquarters rising to at least 30 by December 2026 from the current 18.

II. Key tasks

1. Boost optimization and upgrading of trade in goods

1) Promote the aggregation of headquarters-based trade

The district will bolster the cultivation and introduction of headquarters-based trade and build an incremental development structure. It will vigorously introduce trade-oriented headquarters, establish an incremental cultivation reserve and assist high-level trading entities — including procurement centers, distribution centers and marketing centers — to form business clusters, expand functions and enhance capabilities in Hongkou.

It will provide an integrated convenient channel for cross-border customs clearance, tax collection and management, inspection and approval for headquarters-type enterprises. The task demands long-term continuous efforts.

2) Strengthen precise investment attraction for trade-related industry chains

The district will conduct significant and targeted investment attraction for the trade-related industrial chain, value chain and ecological chain. It will regularly hold work conferences on trade and formulate quarterly work reports on trade concerning trade indicators, trade-related investment attraction and services for key trading enterprises. The task will require long-term continuous efforts.

3) Bolster the integrated development of shipping and trade

The district will leverage the advantages of its trade in shipping services to promote the aggregation of high-end talents, industry think tanks, allied enterprises, operation data and other shipping elements.

It will collaborate with the Pujiang Customs and the Hongkou Customs to promote the deep integration of trade in shipping services with upstream and downstream supply chains.

Moreover, it will establish a joint working mechanism with shipping organizations — such as the China International Freight Forwarders Association, the China Shipowners' Association and the Shanghai Shipping Exchange — to boost its trade volume by dint of the industry chain related to trade and shipping. The task is believed to need long-term continuous efforts.

2. Foster new forms and models of trade

4) Expand new forms and spaces for the development of foreign trade

The district will boost the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouses and support the development of enterprises engaging in new-form trade. The task also requires long-term continuous efforts.

The district will establish a cross-border e-commerce demonstration park centered on the industry chain for cross-border e-commerce. The task is scheduled to be completed by December 2025.

5) Explore the establishment of a bonded warehouse in the North Bund area

The district will collaborate with the Hongkou Customs and the customs of comprehensive bonded zones to introduce functions related to bonded display and trading of artworks and goods with high added value. The task is set to be accomplished by December 2024.

6) Encourage the development of bonded logistics

The district will boost the integrated development of bonded logistics enterprises with cross-border e-commerce, bonded displays, materials directly supplied to liners and other bonded service forms. It will provide customized services for the entire life cycle of enterprises based on the characteristics of the business forms and entities. The task requires long-term continuous efforts.

3. Spur integrated development of domestic, foreign trade

7) Leverage the role of events to bridge domestic and international markets

The district will take advantage of national-level events, including the China International Import Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services. It will cement the collaboration of brands and business districts through activities like the Shanghai May 5 Shopping Festival, the Shanghai Chao Festival and the Shanghai Wine & Spirits Festival — and connect commercial entities in the district with national time-honored brands. The task is seen as needing long-term continuous efforts.

8) Enhance cooperation and exchanges

The district will strengthen cooperation with international trade organizations and important trading partners and rely on the North Bund Forum to enhance its influence in trade in shipping services. It will deepen integrated business cooperation in the Yangtze River Delta. The task demands long-term continuous efforts.

4. Continuously improve the level of trade facilitation

9) Boost the cultivation of enterprises for Authorized Economic Operator certification

The district will deepen cooperation with the Hongkou Customs and the Pujiang Customs, actively conduct policy-centered training online and offline, bolster the cultivation of enterprises for AEO certification and further enhance the level of trade facilitation. The task requires long-term continuous efforts.

10) Enable more enterprises to benefit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and other trade agreements

The district will conduct RCEP-theme training, visit enterprises having the potential to benefit from RCEP and other free trade agreements, help enterprises engaging in foreign trade to better understand and master international economic and trade rules and enable enterprises to maximize the benefits of these agreements and rules. The task needs long-term continuous efforts.

11) Assist in building a trade risk prevention and control system

The district will strengthen its policy-centered publicity, training and implementation at all levels. It will assist enterprises in establishing and improving trade risk assessment and warning mechanisms, provide funding support for credit insurance and financing products and improve the ability of businesses to deal with changes in the international market. The task demands long-term continuous efforts.

12) Optimize policies on trade and industries

In accordance with the structure of trade and features of industries in the district, Hongkou will further optimize support policies on trade and industries that fit business, scales and other characteristics of enterprises. It will promote the stable growth of its trade scale and optimization of its trade structure. The task is scheduled to be fulfilled by December 2024.

 

Source: Hongkou District Commission of Commerce

Note: The English version of the action plan is for reference only; the official Chinese document shall prevail.