SHANGHAI's bonded areas, the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Yangshan Free Trade Port Area and some export processing zones, achieved an import and export value of US$48.2 billion, up 31.6 per cent in the first half year on year, reports Xinhua.

Combined import and export cargo value processed in these areas increased 23 per cent to $27.07 billion, representing 50.7 per cent of the city's total processing trade value.



Import and export value of bonded cargo handled by freight forwarders in the zones rose 33.9 per cent to $19.99 billion, representing 81.2 per cent of the total of those handled by all freight forwarders in the city.



Since the Songjiang Export Processing Zone started a trial run of product research, development and maintenance operations in February, the zone has achieved an import and export value of US$229 million.