Jinan's import, export volume hits 216.1b yuan in 2023

The total value of Jinan's imports and exports reached 216.1 billion yuan ($30.23 billion) in 2023, increasing 0.3 percent compared to the previous year.

Specifically, exports were valued at 137.34 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.1 percent year-on-year, while imports amounted to 78.76 billion yuan, a growth of 2.8 percent year-on-year.

The total import and export volume of Jinan Innovation Zone reached 109.15 billion yuan, accounting for 50.5 percent of the city's total, highlighting its significant role in bolstering the city's foreign trade. The Jinan Start-up Area for Growth Drivers Transformation achieved 1.41 billion yuan in import and export volume, increasing 21.9 percent year-on-year and ranking first in growth rate among functional areas.

In 2023, Jinan's general trade import and export volume was 192.76 billion yuan, a growth of 2.9 percent year-on-year and accounting for 89.2 percent of the total foreign trade volume.

The city forged partnerships with 228 countries and regions in 2023, a record high. Its trade with the European Union and Africa amounted to 21.25 billion yuan and 19.17 billion yuan, respectively, up 10.3 percent and 12.3 percent compared to the previous year.

Additionally, trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative amounted to 115.14 billion yuan, accounting for 53.3 percent of the total.

Jinan also marked a major milestone with 1,006 China-Europe freight trains operating in 2023, an increase of 29.8 percent compared to the previous year.

Jinan had 5,959 foreign trade entities with strong import and export performance, 393 more than the previous year and a record high. Private enterprises contributed to a total import and export volume of 138.42 billion yuan, growing 1.4 percent year-on-year.

The export of mechanical and electrical products was worth 83.49 billion yuan, accounting for 60.8 percent of the total, while that of agricultural products amounted to 7.91 billion yuan. Imports of mechanical and electrical products were valued at 36.55 billion yuan, while that of agricultural products reached 8.35 billion yuan in 2023.

Finally, one intercontinental route from Jinan to Sydney, Australia, six routes including ones from Jinan to Bangkok in Thailand, Seoul in South Korea, and Osaka in Japan were resumed, effectively enhancing Jinan airport's international accessibility.