Exporting maritime expertise, prime goods

A batch of frozen tilapia slices weighing 24 metric tons, produced by Guangdong Longze Food located in the province's Zhanjiang city, was exported to Malaysia in late September.

Export of the fish slices is an example of Zhanjiang's efforts to ensure the rapid customs clearance of exported aquatic products and support the city's aquatic enterprises to explore international markets in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In the past few years, Zhanjiang Customs has worked to optimize registration process for export-oriented food production enterprises and to simplify administrative procedures, while setting up express channels for inspection and clearance for agricultural food products, helping local enterprises lower their costs and save time.

Data from Zhanjiang Customs showed that from January to August, the city exported 23,000 tons of aquatic products to Belt and Road countries and regions, with a combined value of 370 million yuan ($50.78 million). From 2013-22, Zhanjiang exported a total of 412,800 tons of aquatic products to Belt and Road countries and regions, worth 10.37 billion yuan.

A maritime city, Zhanjiang boasts a huge breeding scale of aquatic products as well as advanced processing techniques, leading cold-chain logistics and a solid foundation for seedling cultivation.

Aiming to accelerate the high-quality development of its modern marine ranches and build a national demonstration city in the sector, Zhanjiang recently issued an action plan for the construction of modern marine ranches from 2023-35.

According to the plan, the city will encourage local aquatic enterprises to go global; speed up the development of export-oriented fisheries; support local enterprises to build bigger and stronger international aquatic products trading platforms; and establish an international aquatic products trading center and an aquatic products distribution center in the Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, it will seize the opportunity brought by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement to promote the construction of a China (Zhanjiang) cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone.

Local aquatic enterprises will be supported in strengthening international and interprovincial cooperation to better utilize both domestic and overseas markets and resources.

Official statistics show Zhanjiang is home to 218 aquatic products processing enterprises. Of them, 20 realize an annual output value of more than 1 billion yuan each, while 112 have been licensed by such countries as the United States and those in the European Union and Southeast Asia for their export business.

In 2022, Zhanjiang's total output of aquatic products reached 1.26 million tons and the industrial output value hit 27.4 billion yuan. They have both ranked first in Guangdong for more than 20 years.

The annual China International Aquaculture Products Expo held in Zhanjiang helps local businesses go global. LIU JICHENG/FOR CHINA DAILY