The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone's bonded area is home to 80 demonstration excellent enterprises for the Shanghai International Trade Distribution Center. [Photo/pdnews]

In this year's list of demonstration enterprises for the Shanghai International Trade Distribution Center, 42 enterprises are situated in the bonded area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, accounting for 72 percent of the total number of enterprises on the list.

These companies span sectors like integrated circuits, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, bulk commodities, and high-end consumer goods.

Currently, the bonded area boasts 80 such demonstration enterprises, capturing 70 percent of the city's total, showcasing the area's growing international trade prowess.

International trade and logistics are vital for the smooth operation of the global supply chain. The bonded area has actively implemented trade facilitation measures to attract trade service enterprises and foster innovative trade models. This has enhanced its global resource allocation capability and driven foreign trade growth, positively impacting the construction of the Shanghai International Trade Center.

In 2023, the bonded area recorded a total import-export volume of 1.16 trillion yuan ($160.66 billion), up 5.9 percent from the previous year. Imports reached 812.67 billion yuan (2.1 percent increase), and exports surged by 16 percent to 349.06 billion yuan.

Looking ahead, the bonded area aims to strengthen foreign investment and trade, aligning with national strategies for deeper international engagement. By expanding global distribution networks, fostering new trade formats, and promoting digital and green trade, the area aims to enhance professional services, cultivate regional growth engines, and drive high-quality development, thus contributing significantly to Shanghai's economic landscape.