In the first seven months of this year, Heze's trade with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 16.15 billion yuan ($2.38 billion), up 63.9 percent year-on-year, according to Heze customs.

Customs officers inspect goods at an enterprise in Heze, Shandong province. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Exports totaled 4.78 billion yuan, up 30.5 percent, while imports reached 11.38 billion yuan, up 83.7 percent.

According to Heze customs, the rapid growth of imported goods has boosted the development of Heze's trade with BRI countries.

In the first seven months of this year, Heze's food imports rose 158.6 percent, agricultural products increased by 87.7 percent, and grain imports grew by 80.1 percent.

Since this year, Heze customs has continuously optimized the business environment, coordinated epidemic prevention and control measures and promoted the steady growth of foreign trade. It has introduced 15 measures to ensure the unimpeded circulation of the industrial chain and supply chain in Heze.