Ningbo, Binjiang selected for national trade demonstration zone development

Ningbo and Hangzhou's Binjiang district have been selected for the first batch of areas to develop national demonstration zones for service trade innovation and digital trade, respectively, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Ningbo's plan sets 30 key tasks in eight areas and proposes a "3+5+X" service trade industrial system. It will further develop three areas of strength: bulk commodity supply chain services, international port and shipping services, and high-end manufacturing services; develop five fields including service outsourcing and travel services; and explore X emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data elements, the low-altitude economy, brain-computer interfaces, and smart healthcare.

Binjiang's plan includes 41 tasks in 11 areas. Priorities include market-oriented reform of data elements, exports of digital technology services, development of the core area of an intellectual property service trade hub, embodied intelligence, digital culture, life and health services, and a full-chain support system for companies entering international markets.

Zhejiang's digital trade has posted double-digit growth for seven consecutive years and has eight provincial-level digital trade demonstration zones. Hangzhou was selected in April for the first batch of national demonstration zones for service trade innovation.

The Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province said it will strengthen policy support and help the selected areas meet national demonstration requirements during the development period.