statistics

	With the globe as target, Ningbo headed forward into the world. Blessed by the spring breeze of the Reforming and Opening, Ningbo's foreign trade and economic cooperation have experienced a great leap in development with the whole world.

	Build a good Home for Entrepreneurs Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone,one of the largest national development zones in China,was approved by the State Council in October,1984. It covers an area of 29.6 square kilometers and is now the energy and raw material base and export-processing zone in Zhejiang and East China. By Nov. 1999,investors from over 30 countries including Japan,U.S.,Germany and Korea etc. had already set up 463 foreign-invested enterprises in the Development Zone and the total investment of 4.06 billion USD and a contracted utilization of foreign investment of 3.31 billion USD. Of the projects,there are 74 whose investment are all over 100 million USD. Ningbo Free Trade Zone ranks to be the highest development level in China,enjoying the most preferential policies and decision-making rights. NFTZ is connected with Beilun Port and the Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone. By Nov.1999,the Free Trade Zone had established more than 2,400 enterprises with a total import and export value of 2,8 billion USD, ranking front among the best 15 free trade zones in China. Daxie Development Zone,launched in 1993,covers and area of 30.84 square kilometers surrounded by sea. The bridge with highway and railway under construction can well incorporate Daxie Island into the mainland economic system. The Development Zone has 15-km long coastline with about 40-60-meter deep sea. It is an idea place to build 200,000 tonnage deep-water docks. The Daxie Island aims to be a large international port of first class and an export-oriented economic zone.

	Opening the Gate to Welcome the Foreign Investment The day by day improved investment environment of Ningbo greatly attracts investors from all over the world. In 1980,the establishment of the first foreign invested enterprise was approved. After Mr.Den Xiaoping's speech on his inspection tour to South China in 1992,Ningbo has been utilizing foreign investment more widely and effectively. By 1999,Ningbo had approved the establishment of 4490 foreign invested enterprises with a total investment of 11.65 billion USD, and the contracted utilization of foreign capital amounting to be 7.5 billion USD and the actual foreign investment reaching 3.39 billion USD. Ningbo has been the hot land for investment by those transitional companies. Today,26 companies out of the "World top 500 companies"had made their investment in Ningbo and got involved in the field of petrochemical,biological pharmacy, agricultural products processing,food industry,textile manufacturing, steel manufacturing,mechanics,electronics and international trading etc. A great number of huge projects with investment over 100 million USD to 1 billion USD respectively have been established in Ningbo,like the Zhouhua Paper Mill,Bao Xin Special Steel,Samsung Shipyard,BP LPG,ESSO Petrochemical and LG Chemical,etc. With years of efforts,the field for foreign investment in Ningbo has been expanded from the processing industry to the basic industries,infrastructure,finance,commerce,real estate and agriculture etc. The introduction of foreign investment plays a very important role in raising funds for local construction,importation of advanced technology,enterprise management,and increasing the exports as well as foreign exchange reserve. It also greatly helps to accelerate the city's economic development and social progress.

	The booming Foreign Trade Express The offspring of the Ningbonese Elite have been deepening their impression left to the world:"No market can prosper without Ningbo businessmen."They have promoted their business activities across the whole world. Ningbo people are becoming more enlightened and brilliant as they display their outstanding talents in the big stage of foreign trade with their unique business morals,commercial tradition and practice. In 1988,Ningbo began to manage direct import and export by itself. Since then,the average increase rate of foreign trade and export volume has been over 40% annually. In 1999,the export volume of Ningbo totaled 34.7 billion USD. The fast development of the international trade qualifies Ningbo to be a key foreign trading port in East China. About 1,000 foreign trade companies, manufacturers and foreign-invested enterprise in Ningbo are engaged in export business which form a grand structure of foreign trade and economic cooperation. The major export items of Ningbo are textiles,clothes machinery and electronic products. The arts and crafts,the cereal and oil products,the light products,the live stock products ,chemical products, medical and health nutrition products are also in large scale. Ningbo products are very popular in overseas markets due to their superior quality,variety and reputable brands. Over 100 kinds of important export products have registered their trademarks abroad and gained worldwide reputation . Ningbo commodities have entered the markets in 167 countries and regions,of which Hongkong,Japan,U.S., Korea, Singapore and German are the most important export markets for Ningbo.

	Ningbo People Focus On the Overseas Market Again Stepping out of the country for the world has been the general consensus of the new generation of Ningbo people. Since the reform and opening,more and more Ningbo people have followed the tradition of the ancestors and developed their business abroad. The skillful craftsmen of Ningbo are well-know for their skills and complete trade. For instance,Tian Yi library has collected the "extremely exquisite bed and bridge"."Hongbang"tailors in Ningbo made the first set of western style suit,the first set of Chinese tunic suit and the first shirt in China. Meanwhile the golden thread straw hat of Cixi is also very popular in South East Asia and the bamboo root sculptures of Fenghua have won many international awards. In all these achievement Ningbo takes great pride. In recent years,thousands of Ningbo workers have left their traces of creation in 48 countries and regions such as Japan,Korea,Mauritius,Saban,Singapore,the U.S. and East Samoa for labor service abroad. The construction industry of Ningbo enjoys both international and domestic reputation. Ningbo Constructors have not only completed many magnificent buildings in Beijing,Shanghai and Guangzhou,but also achieved immense accomplishment abroad. Now Ningbo has also been actively seeking foreign construction projects. Ningbo companies have completed the construction of Enthuman Hospital in Sudan,the Regent Garden in Guam,Dabayao Skyscraper in Singapore and Golf tracks in Malaysia and Canada. In 1984,Ningbo set up its overseas enterprise in Canada. And now,the overseas enterprises set up by Ningbo people are increasing both in number and size. Now,Ningbo has approved the establishment of 115 overseas enterprises in 26 countries and regions such as the U.S.,Japan,Hong Kong,the UAE,Singapore,Mexico and Poland. Their business scope includes trading,manufacturing,marine industry,construction and transportation etc. The development of overseas enterprises plays a good model for Ningbo to participate in the international exchanges and competition. It also strengthen Ningbo's tie with the world and promote its economic development further.

	When the 5.3 million people of Ningbo step in to the gate of the new century, a marvelous prospect lays before us:By 2020,Ningbo will have basically finished its modernization process with the major indexes of economic and social development reaching or exceeding that of the mid-developed countries. By then Ningbo will become a socialist modern international port.