Ningbo and Hangzhou agree to seek closer bilateral cooperation in cross-border trade facilitation in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province on Dec 29. [Photo.cnnb.com.cn]

Ningbo and Hangzhou jointly unveiled a string of measures on Dec 29 to seek closer bilateral cooperation in cross-border trade facilitation.

Coordinated efforts will be made by the two cities to facilitate customs transit and clearance. Paperless procedures will be introduced in the processes.

They will also make concerted efforts to strengthen cooperation among port supervision organs, promote smart port construction and enhance port service quality. 

The move comes after the extension of China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone this year to include parts of both Ningbo and Hangzhou. 

The closer ties between the cities in cross-border trade are expected to inject new vitality into the province's campaign to build itself into a national foreign trade hub, said a head official at Ningbo Customs.