Since January this year, Yucheng city, under the jurisdiction of Dezhou in Shandong province, has harnessed the provincial-level incentive funds for open-economy counties. By tailoring corresponding policies to local conditions and strengthening enterprise cultivation and support, the city has achieved high-quality development in its import and export trade.

In 2023, the total value of Yucheng's imports and exports registered a year-on-year increase of 13.2 percent. Exports reached 5.4 billion yuan ($750 million), a year-on-year increase of 17.1 percent. The cross-border e-commerce target of 750 million yuan was also achieved.

By the end of 2023, Yucheng had over 100 enterprises engaged in foreign trade, and five key export-oriented industries had been cultivated: agricultural and sideline product processing, mechanical and electrical equipment, textiles and garments, light industry, and building materials. The city exports its goods to over 70 countries and regions around the world.

Shandong Futaste Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, a leading pharmaceutical company based in Yucheng city, has benefited greatly from the city's open development policies. In 2023, the company's exports surpassed 300 million yuan, with its products exported to over 50 countries. In the first quarter of 2024, the company's production and sales both increased by over 20 percent year-on-year. Moreover, Shandong Yuwang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, located in the city of Dezhou in Shandong province, expects to export 180 million yuan worth of goods in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 18 percent year-on-year.

On March 15, Shandong Yuwang Pharmaceutical's booth attracted a lot of attention from exhibitors at the Natural Products Expo West held in the United States.  [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

These success stories demonstrate the vitality and potential of Yucheng's foreign trade sector. As Yucheng city continues to embrace openness and cooperation, it is poised to achieve even greater success in the global marketplace.