A citizen shops for red wine in the Chongqing International Exhibition and Trade Center on Jan 8. [Photo by Zhang Jinhui/liangjiang.gov.cn]

On Jan 11, the Chongqing Lianglu Cuntan Tariff Bonded Zone reviewed its achievements over the past nine years. In that period it accepted more than 1,800 companies and utilized foreign capital of $ 3.3 billion.

The total value of imports and exports reached 488.9 billion yuan ($75.98 billion), accounting for 45.9 percent of the values of Liangjiang New Area and 19.6 percent of those of the whole city.

Since its establishment, Lianglu Cuntan has explored a development path to open itself up to global markets. It has improved its services in port services, customs, routing and platforms.

The port area is seizing current opportunities including the Chongqing Free Trade Pilot Zone and the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Strategic Connectivity Demonstration Project to further upgrade itself in port capability, logistics, intelligent manufacturing and business district structuring.

Lianglu Cuntan has introduced more than 40 companies in meat and fruits imports. Since it was officially put into operation one year ago it has created a total value of $38.71 million.

The area also has attracted logistics and express companies including Nikkon Logistics, SF Express and Deppon. It is estimated that in 2019 the output value of the international commercial logistic park could amount to nine billion yuan ($1.4 billion).

Seven international brands including Caterpillar and the HP maintenance center were recently introduced. Over the past five years, the area has produced 118 million smart terminal products including laptops, tablet computers, desktop computers, smartphones and wearable smart devices, accounting for one third of the city's total output.

The bonded port area has introduced 55 domestic and foreign business brands and sells around 30,000 varieties of goods from more than 50 countries and regions.

It will cooperate with the US's Triple Five Group in planning, construction, commerce and management and jointly build the Mall of China (Chongqing) project combining shopping, entertainment, education, healthcare, and residences. A recreational complex to cover an area of 450,000 square meters will start construction in May and be put into operation in 2020.