Brazil tightens quality control over China imports

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Category: Ningbo Business

Published: Tuesday, 23 October 2012 14:15

Brazil plans to impose stricter quality control on imported domestic retail goods from China and other Asian nations, according to a recent statement released by Brazil's National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO). In the second quarter of this year, INMETRO has issued a series of instructions to impose strict quality control on imports from China and other Asian nations to prevent the influx of cheap goods. The measures applied to 240,000 models of goods in textiles, steel products, car parts and children's items, particularly toys.

Brazil has issued a series of amendments since this January in regards to mandatory certification, which applies to most electrical household appliances including the microwave, toaster, water heater, kitchen utensils, baby stroller, automotive components, and information technology products. The measures raised higher standards on the function, energy efficiency, safety norm, and labeling of imported products.

The move discouraged many exporters in Ningbo, who has seen growing trade volume to Brazil in recent years. From January to August this year, Ningbo imported 7,068 batches of products to Brazil, worth $ 278 million, a year-on-year growth of 18.75 percent and 11.06 percent respectively.

Ningbo's exporters to the Brazil increased from 957 in 2011 to 1,038 in 2012, up 8.5 percent. However, Ningbo has to face rising trade restrictions from Brazil in recent years. A survey by Ningbo Inspection and Quarantine Bureau shows that Ningbo’s exports to Brazil in 2011 accounted for only 2.5 percent of the total exports, while 7.75 percent of economic loss was resulted from Brazil's trade measures.

Export of vegetables to USA on rise

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Category: Ningbo Business

Published: Monday, 15 October 2012 09:16

This year, Ningbo's export of vegetables to the market of USA is on the rise.

112th Canton Fair opens with hope despite economic slowdown

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Category: Ningbo Business

Published: Tuesday, 23 October 2012 14:14

The 112th China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, officially kicked off on Monday in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province. More than 1,300 Ningbo companies signed up for the fair and booked more than 2,900 booths, said the Ningbo Trade Group last Sunday. The first phase of the fair will attract more than 600 Ningbo exhibitors, a similar figure to the previous session, and the number of participants is estimated at over one million.

The Fair covers a total area of 1.16 million square meters, with a total of 59,509 booths. The indoor exhibition area amounted to 546,000 square meters. The Canton Fair, lasting from October 15 to November 4, is divided into three phases. The first phase, focusing on Machinery, Electrical and Electronic products, lasts form October 15 to 19. The second phase, focusing on Home and Decoration, lasts from October 23 to 27. The third phase, focusing on textiles, garments, fashion accessories and food, lasts from October 31 to November 4.

This session of Canton Fair will continue to set up the International Pavilion in the first and third phase, with 894 booths in seven product areas, attracting 552 overseas exhibitors from 44 countries and regions.

The Organizing Committee said they are prudently optimistic about the turnover during this Canton Fair as export and domestic demand kept fading amid an uncertain global economy. China's export and import growth might keep low growth rate in the next few months or even the first half of next year.

Gang Yong, leader of Ningbo Trade Group, said in yesterday's trading group meeting that Ningbo's international trade has been challenged by an uncertain global economy since the second half of 2012. The weakening external demand, the RMB appreciation, growing inclination of trade protectionism, rising cost, and fierce competitors from surrounding provinces hit trade prospect of Ningbo's exporters. "We have to take the initiative in the tough situation. Ningbo has developed processing industry, and we need to show this advantage through the fair. We are ready for an order battle, and win more orders for this year."

Gang added, Ningbo's exporters, long been targeting at European and American markets, are vulnerable to the current economic weakness in Europe and America. It is a good opportunity to seek potential customers from emerging markets like Brazil, and South Africa.

Wharf for largest container ships under construction in Ningbo

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Category: Ningbo Business

Published: Monday, 15 October 2012 09:09

The berths for the largest container ships in Meishan are in shape.

The first phase of the wharf for container ships has five berths and the designed annual capacity is 3 million standard containers every. The No.1 and No.2 berths were completed and put into operation in August 2010. The berths No.3, 4 and 5 are jointly ventured and managed by Ningbo Port Co., Ltd. and Maersk.

The berths No.3, 4 and 5 are 17.8 meters in harbor depth. The construction of the berths started on August 16, 2011. They are capable of the berthing of 18,000-standard-container ships. 18,000-standard-container ships are at present the largest containers ships in the world that are under construction. These ships, being built for Maersk, will be launched in 2013. At present there are few wharfs that are capable of the berthing of such large ships.

The berth facilities will be completed and put into operation in two years