Cross-border e-commerce boosts Shandong county's foreign trade

Shandong Kenshi Heavy Machinery Co Ltd in Guanxian county benefits from the county's surging cross-border e-commerce. [Photo by Xu Yongfei for chinadaily.com.cn]

Hanlu village in Liaocheng's Guanxian county, Shandong province has in recent years accelerated the development of cross-border e-commerce, which has in turn provided a new way for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs to expand their footprint in overseas markets.

"This year, our orders have been constant, with a 10 to 20 percent increase in orders compared to last year," said Feng Yuehua, general manager of the Huashi Fruits and Vegetables Professional Cooperative in Hanlu village. The cooperative is involved in cross-border e-commerce, exporting pears from Guanxian county to places such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with annual exports of over 100 containers and more than 4 million metric tons of pears.

In recent years, Guanxian county has improved the cross-border e-commerce industrial ecosystem, implemented the cultivation plan for cross-border e-commerce entities, nurtured comprehensive foreign trade service enterprises and cross-border e-commerce service platforms, and facilitated the transformation and upgrading of traditional foreign trade enterprises.

Additionally, the local government has deepened cooperation with cross-border e-commerce institutions such as Alibaba and the Qingdao Import and Export Chamber of Commerce and the SCO Economic and Trade Comprehensive Service Platform, aiming to gradually cultivate a talent pool proficient in using internet technologies to promote products and provide precise and in-depth services to enterprises.

Shandong Kenshi Heavy Machinery Co Ltd in Guanxian has also benefited from the county's surging cross-border e-commerce. To expand abroad, the company has collaborated with cross-border e-commerce institutions to cultivate overseas resources, with its products exported to over 100 countries and regions.

"Through platforms such as Alibaba's cross-border e-commerce platform, our company has expanded its overseas business and significantly increased exports by promoting products through the platform," explained Xu Qiuxia, foreign trade manager of Kenshi Heavy Machinery Co Ltd.

So far, more than 20 companies in Guanxian county have entered international markets through cross-border e-commerce platforms, exporting products such as coated panels, galvanized sheets, sorghum powder, and excavators to Europe, North and South America, Africa, and other regions. Last year, the customs declaration amount for cross-border e-commerce in Guanxian reached approximately 1 billion yuan ($138.53 million). (Edited by Xie Zhenzhen)