Zhanjiang’s furniture export volume has quadrupled within five years, increasing from 960 million yuan ($153million) in 2009 to 4.85 billion yuan ($775 million) in 2014.

According to statistics from Zhanjiang Customs, the gross volume of exported furniture from Zhanjiang increased 41.1 percent from a year ago to 4.85 billion yuan, accounting for 26.8 percent of the city’s total export volume in 2014.

Private enterprises witnessed fastest growth rate at 61.1 percent in 2014, with export volume amounting to 2.86 billion yuan ($456.9 million), while foreign enterprises exported furniture totaling 196 million yuan ($31.1 million), increasing 16 percent year-on-year.

The ASEAN countries has become the top export destination for Zhanjiang’s furniture industry, with export value totaling 1.68 billion yuan ($268.4 million) in 2014, increasing 33 percent from a year ago. Hong Kong has also become a large buyer, importing furniture valuing 570 million yuan ($91 million) from Zhanjiang.

Statistics from Zhanjiang Customs also showed that the countries along the 21st Maritime Silk Road imported 2.31 billion yuan ($369 million). Zhanjiang has been authorized by the central government as the pivot city along the 21st Maritime Silk Road, which will strengthen Zhanjiang’s cooperation and communication with the ASEAN countries and other countries and regions along the new Silk Road.

Zhanjiang Customs has took measures to streamline customs procedures to improve clearance efficiency and lower charges. It also coordinated with relevant departments to facilitate tax rebate procedures for export enterprises to encourage local enterprises to “go out” to the global market.