Measures to help exporters resume production issued

Reference:BBC | Updated: 20 February 2020

The Ministry of Commerce issued 20 measures to help domestic exporters resume the production, improve the government service for foreign companies and stimulate domestic consumption to limit the impact of the new virus outbreak on Chinese economy.

The government will support the orderly work resumption for export-oriented firms and global companies, goods distributors, retailers and e-commerce enterprises, and promote the joint development of major projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative, said a circular unveiled by the ministry on late Tuesday.

It encourages foreign companies producing items for epidemic prevention and control to expand their manufacturing volume and import certain medical goods and agricultural products that currently are urgently needed at home.

The document said that e-commerce and logistics companies selling and transporting essential necessities across the country will be given priority to be equipped with necessary protective materials such as facial masks, disinfectant, protective gloves and goggles.

The government will support the development and integration between trade in daily goods and cross-border e-commerce activities, and explore new trading channels in global markets, as well as promote the export of second-hand vehicles and offer timely services for companies affected by the epidemic.

The ministry and other government branches will actively communicate and coordinate with neighboring countries to resume border trade after the outbreak is lifted.

In addition to further stimulating domestic consumption and ensuring industrial associations will issue force majeure certificates to exporters in need, the circular noted that China will closely track the progress of large foreign investment projects under discussion, and enhance investment cooperation with different parties.

The circular required local governments to provide timely service to large foreign-invested projects under construction, optimize online government services, and coordinate relevant government branches and public utilities to ensure their supplies to foreign companies in terms of land use, logistics, labor, water and power usage.