“The first bonded logistics shop is expected to open up before May 1, so citizens will have access to imported food, clothing, cosmetics and jewelry”. Deputy Director of the Municipal Bureau of Commerce Yang Zihua made this announcement at the “Thirteenth Five-Year Plan” Press Conference held on March 30th.  

According to Mr. Yang Zihua, during the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period, the retail sales of consumer goods added up to 428 billion Yuan, increasing by 16.8% compared with the previous year and 2.17 times of that in the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” period. Yichang has been officially approved to build as an e-commerce model city. So far Yichang has 1 national-level e-commerce model enterprise, 2 e-commerce model cities and 1 model base at the province level, 1 national-level e-commerce model county as well as 1 provincial-level e-commerce model county.  

In addition, the functions of ports have been improving. Last year the Bonded Logistics Center program was approved. The first-phase land allocated for the project is 305.6 mu and the total construction area reaches 74,000 square meters. The total investment adds up to 580 million Yuan. After the first-phase program is completed, the port can handle 1.6 million tons of cargo per year and the annual turnover will reach 90.77 million Yuan. It’s estimated that the port can reduce 15% to 25% of costs for foreign trade enterprises and make 180 billion Yuan of logistics income, realizing an increase of 100 billion Yuan. Currently 330 million Yuan have been invested into the project. By the end of April, the installation of the information technology equipment will be finished to meet the requirements of operation. At least one bonded logistics shop is thus to open for business before the May Day holiday. (Reporter: Chen Xi; correspondent: Liu Yali)