Guangdong Customs reports surge in trade volume from private companies

Private-operated enterprises have played a significant role in promoting Guangdong's high-level opening-up and high-quality development.

According to a statement released by Guangdong Customs on Tuesday, foreign trade volume from non-governmental companies came to 1.89 trillion yuan ($262 billion) in the first four months, up year-on-year 5.6 percent and representing 63.9 percent of the province's total.

And Guangdong's import and export volume from private-operated companies has enjoyed year-on-year growth for four consecutive months, according to the statement.

Private enterprises have significantly contributed to the rapid development of the foreign trade industry in Guangdong province from January to April, it said.

Zhang Chao, director of the inspection office of Guangdong Customs, stated that Guangdong Customs has actively addressed the concerns of private enterprises and strengthened the endogenous driving force of the private economy in recent months.

Guangdong Customs has introduced a series of measures to reduce the burden, increase efficiency and facilitate customs clearance for private enterprises, providing solid support for the numerous private-run companies in the southern province to promote and expand the foreign trade industry this year, Zhang said.

Meanwhile, Guangdong Customs has further standardized and regulated administrative inspections related to enterprises, effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of private enterprises.

"And the measures which have helped further optimize the business environment at ports, providing more momentum for private enterprises to effectively respond to the complicated international economic and trade situation and increase their presence in the global market," he said.

Zhang promised that Guangdong Customs will continue to promote the effective implementation of policies and measures for the development of private enterprises, and deepen cooperation with local governments to enhance enterprises' credit, management efficiency and high-quality development.

"The move aims to better stimulate the foreign trade vitality and development momentum of private enterprises in the following months," he added.

Guangdong, which relies heavily on foreign trade for economic construction, achieved a trade volume of 2.96 trillion yuan from January to April, a year-on-year increase of 4.9 percent, 2.5 percentage points faster than the national average.