National Import and Export Work Conference Held in Suzhou

2004-07-27 14:56

The First National Import and Export Work Conference was held in Suzhou since the founding of Ministry of Commerce from July 21 to 23. Vice Minister of Commerce Yu Guangzhou attended the conference. The major tasks of the conference were as follows: To deepen the implementation of scientific development perspective; to comprehensively analyze new situations in China’s foreign trade development; to further research the ways to enhance macro control in foreign trade, deepen foreign trade mechanism reform, transform foreign trade growth pattern and promote further development; to transform China from “big trading nation” into “strong trading nation”. China’s foreign trade was on good track in the first half of 2004. Import and export grew by leaps and bounds with consecutive records; foreign trade with major partners was in good performance and EU jumped to be China’s top trading partner for the first time; import growth outpaced export and import of resources and energies surged; export of conventional staple products grew steadily and export of electronic and machinery products as well as high-tech products grew faster; export of processing trade sped up while export under conventional trade slowed down; export by non-public enterprises played more actively, indicating the diversification of operators. Vice Minister Yu Guangzhou stressed that six aspects should be highlighted in order to achieve goals in import and export of 2004. First, effective supervision and check should be underlined when importing key products and macro control should also be implemented. Second, coordination mechanism should be enhanced amid different departments to maintain stability of policies. Third, system security in foreign trade development should be improved to better service enterprises. Fourth, diplomatic negotiations should be further implemented to maintain national and industry fundamental interests. Fifth, more intermediate institutions should be established and functions of import and export chambers should be further developed. Finally, more talents should be cultivated to activate foreign trade. It is learnt that some 140 persons from State Council, commerce administrations in provinces (municipalities), autonomous regions and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps attended the conference. (Information by Network Center of MOFCOM)