Ningbo government vows to boost its imports and exports this year, according to a conference on International Trade Promotion held on March 7 afternoon.

The city's Mayor, Lu Ziyue, held talks with representatives of 18 major local import and export companies in advance of the conference. Lu stressed the policy of "improving both quality and quality of local exports and imports while promoting the integration of local industry and international trade". Vice Mayor Hong Jiaxiang also attended the conference.

The municipal government issued a document titled "Measures on Strengthening Ningbo's International Trade" last October. According to the document, Ningbo will foster 20 international companies on channel, supply, or headquarters economy. The move aims to significantly improve the scale, capital, capacity, reputation and overall competitiveness of these companies by 2016. At least five of the 20 companies shall achieve an import and export trade volume of over one billion U.S. dollars.

Local trade authorities elected 18 local trade companies through self recommendation, scoring, publicity and other procedures. The elected companies include those already listed in China's top 500 like Cixi Import & Export Corporation and Zhejiang Future Investment Co., Ltd.. Meanwhile, major import and export companies like Ningbo Shoude Trade Co.,Ltd and Ningbo Henghou Group are also included in the list. In 2013, the total import and export trade volume of the 18 companies took up nearly one eighth of the total figure in Ningbo.

Lu Ziyue offered his congratulations to the 18 companies. He said that international  trade is crucial to the economic and social development for an port city like Ningbo. Ningbo's total import and export trade volume has hit $100 billion, but the government continues to encourage more participation in international trade. Luzi Yue called for more support from departments and units on all levels, who shall issue more favorable policies, enhance guarantees, and improve services for these companies. He also suggested local companies improve international marketing on local products and promote integration of trade and industry and further improve the competitiveness of Ningbo's international trade.

During the meeting, the municipal government, the 18 companies and the concerning local governments on district or county levels had signed a tripartite agreement. To further boost the link and development of local import and export companies, the Association of the Top 20 Import and Export Companies was set up last Friday. Zhou Jule, president of China Base Ningbo Group, was elected as the first chairman.