Shandong enterprises eye import, export opportunities in BRI markets

The markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have become a new growth hub for the foreign trade sector in East China's Shandong province as many enterprises are looking for diverse markets as part of efforts to cushion the pressure coming from trade tensions between China and the United States.

The trade potential between Shandong and the BRI economies is rising and has become a new engine to power foreign trade in the province, said Shao Bai, head of Qingdao Customs.

Imports and exports by the province generated with BRI economies during the first half of this year reached 278.66 billion yuan ($38.8 billion), a year-on-year increase of 20.2 percent and accounting for 28.7 percent of the province's total foreign trade.