No Matter The Challenges, Let’s Work Hard and Forge Ahead Hebei Boosts Trade Support as Local Firms Expand Abroad

Since the beginning of this year, amid evolving global trade dynamics, Hebei Province has leveraged policy innovation as a breakthrough point. By focusing on key areas such as customs clearance facilitation, overseas resource connectivity, and fostering new business models, the province has implemented a "policy mix" to optimize its foreign trade ecosystem, supporting private enterprises in steadily expanding overseas. In May, the number of private enterprises in the province with actual import-export activity exceeded 11,000 in a single month—a record high.

At Hongqisheng Precision Electronics Co., Ltd. in Qinhuangdao, technicians are conducting final quality inspections on a batch of printed circuit boards before shipment to ASEAN countries. While the company has successfully entered international markets, its management reveals that new challenges have emerged.

Liu Chuang, Director of Customs Affairs at Hongqisheng Precision Electronics (Qinhuangdao):
As a manufacturer in the fast-moving consumer electronics industry, our clients place extremely high demands on delivery efficiency—even a half-day or two-hour early delivery can justify premium charges. That's why accelerating shipments is critical for us.
Customs clearance time is a key factor affecting delivery performance. To save time, Qinhuangdao Customs (under Shijiazhuang Customs) analyzed our qualifications and export processes to create a customized facilitation package. As an AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)-certified enterprise, we now benefit from 12 exclusive services including “two-step declaration” and “automated document review,” cutting clearance time from two days to just half a day. Combined with measures like “direct shipside pickup,” our per-container logistics costs have dropped by nearly 1,000 yuan. These policy dividends helped us achieve over 1 billion yuan in export value in the first four months of this year.

Li Bing, Deputy Commissioner, Qinhuangdao Customs (Shijiazhuang Customs District):
Through comprehensive research on corporate operations, we have developed a multi-dimensional enterprise support mechanism to empower foreign trade companies in global supply chain competition. 
Beyond streamlined customs clearance, localities across our province are now implementing deeper reforms to enhance Hebei enterprises' international competitiveness. The “small-order, quick-response' model has become vital in the apparel export sector. A case in point is Shijiazhuang-based Hebei Zhanghui Garment Technology Co., Ltd., a 20-year industry veteran now adopting this approach.

Liu Yang, Innovation Center GM, Zhanghui Garment Tech (Hebei):
Our clients are placing orders with increasingly shorter lead times, in smaller batches, and with stronger demands for customization. This requires us to have strong “small-batch, quick-response” capabilities.
For companies like ours, keeping up with international fashion trends is crucial for survival and growth. But when design and production are both domestic-based, how do we bridge the gap? Zhanghui Garment's solution was to establish our European headquarters in Germany, where resources are more abundant.

Su Chunyu, CEO, Hebei Zhanghui Garment Technology Co., Ltd.:
We consolidated international experts and R&D resources abroad to develop products, then shifted production back to China for final export to EU markets.
But with vast distances and unfamiliar terrain—where to find specialists? How to align resources? The solution came in February when Hebei Provincial Science & Technology Department (Foreign Experts Bureau) and Shijiazhuang Municipal Government jointly launched the Hebei Technology Enterprise Global Expansion Service Platform—a timely boost for Zhanghui Garment.

Hu Bozheng, Vice President, Hebei Technology Enterprise Global Expansion Service Platform:
We operate on a government-backed, market-driven model, leveraging our network of 45 overseas talent-introduction stations and strategic partnerships with innovation hubs like Beijing's Zhongguancun. This allows us to curate top-tier international projects, experts, and talent for our platform.
This system shifts enterprises from “needle-in-a-haystack” searches to precision targeting, significantly accelerating overseas HQ establishment. Zhanghui Garment has already partnered with a renowned German R&D team, with joint operations set to launch by October this year.

Su Chunyu, CEO, Hebei Zhanghui Garment Technology Co., Ltd.:
With our overseas R&D now fully operational this year, we project approximately 50% business growth within the next three to five years. Continued policy innovations are revitalizing our province's foreign trade sector. According to Shijiazhuang Customs: In May, the number of Hebei's private enterprises engaged in import-export activities reached 11,147 – a monthly increase of 275 and marking the third consecutive month of growth, surpassing 11,000 for the first time. These private firms achieved RMB 41.2 billion in total trade volume, representing an 18.5% month-on-month increase and accounting for nearly 80% of the province's total.

Editor: Wang Xing
Source: Hebei Broadcasting Network (Jishi Client)