Xiong'an's foreign trade surges to over 20b yuan in Q1

Foreign trade in Xiong'an New Area in North China's Hebei province surged 17.6 times year-on-year to 20.55 billion yuan ($3 billion) in the first quarter of this year, driven by tailored customs services and faster clearance, local customs said on Saturday.

Xiong'an Customs has set up green lanes for key entities, including relocated projects or enterprises from neighboring Beijing, resolving 42 relocation-related hurdles and rolling out a parallel filing model for Beijing and Xiong'an.

In coordination with Beijing Daxing International Airport's customs, the zone adopted a "single declaration, single inspection, single release" model and a "zone-port synergy" scheme, cutting overall clearance time by over 10 percent.

Local exports are also diversifying, with biodegradable plastics and high-end packaging products rising steadily, reaching more than 20 global markets including ASEAN, Germany and France, according to local authorities.

"Xiong'an Customs will stay committed to the new area's strategic positioning, deepen reform and innovation, and improve regulatory services," said Guo Xiaoxia, head of Xiong'an Customs.

"We will fully support relocated projects, enhance port functions, and strengthen local specialty industries."