Recently, the Jinan Area of China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (SDPFTZ) welcomed guests from Angola, a country known as the "Spring Nation" in the southwest of the African continent. From learning experiences during the visit of Angolan President Loureno to China to deepening cooperation with representatives from the Dande Free Trade Zone of Angola in Jinan and further expanding the construction of a high-level open platform for the "Urban Circle" in Jinan, an increasing number of domestic and foreign partners are joining hands with Jinan to embrace the spring of cooperation.
Expanding the "circle of friends" to explore new paths of win-win cooperation, a delegation of three from the Dande Free Trade Zone of Angola visited the Jinan Area of China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone for exchanges. They visited the Global Commodity Trade Port in the Jinan Free Trade Green Area, experiencing firsthand the internationalized consumption of "buying globally, selling globally" in the exhibition hall, which showcases over 70 countries' specialties and gathers 22,000 overseas products. Jinan has implemented a "one product, one code" labeling system for imported goods to trace their sources, establishing a new model of bonded exhibition and sales where bonded goods can leave the area, each product has a traceable code, displayed goods can be returned, and taxes are paid upon transactions, creating a new scene for bonded exhibition and sales of imported goods for the citizens. The delegation inquired about the operation mechanism of the trade port from the staff. It showed keen interest in the innovative model of bonded exhibition and sales of imported goods, pioneered by the Jinan area of the pilot free trade zone, believing that this model is worth learning from and hoping to have Angolan specialties showcased in the near future.
China is Angola's largest trading partner, largest export destination, second-largest source of imports, and an important source of investment. It is understood that in 2023, Jinan's foreign trade import and export value reached 216.1 billion yuan, with growth in trade with emerging markets such as Africa and five countries in Central Asia, and diversified cooperation with trade partners. Over the past year, Jinan has traded with 228 countries and regions, reaching a historical high in the number of trade partners, with imports and exports to Africa amounting to 19.17 billion yuan, a 12.3% increase.
In recent years, many Chinese enterprises have participated in Angola's project construction and industrial development, while Jinan has continued to expand its overseas "circle of friends" and explore more paths of win-win cooperation. The purpose of the delegation's visit to Jinan, Shandong this time is to personally experience the development trends of Chinese enterprises, promote further collaboration between the two sides' enterprises, better learn from China's development experience, improve agricultural production and industrialization levels, and promote Angola's economic development.
Expanding the "business circle" to enhance the new momentum of industrial upgrading, at the symposium, representatives from the Jinan area of the pilot free trade zone committee detailed the industrial foundation, business environment, and platform advantages of the Jinan area from four aspects: innovation, industry, openness, and platform advantages.
It is understood that the Dande Free Trade Zone is Angola's first domestic free trade zone. With economic development, Angola has gradually opened and improved its foreign trade and investment laws in recent years, providing comprehensive legal protection and significant preferential policies for foreign investors. The establishment of the Dande Free Trade Zone has promoted Angola's connection with the world and hopes that Chinese enterprises also hold hopes for us, further understanding the development potential of the Angolan market.
Jinan sincerely hopes to exchange experiences in park construction with the Dande Free Trade Zone of Angola, explore innovative models of open cooperation, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation based on the concept of "complementary advantages and win-win cooperation.”
（Li Xiaotong; Liang Ruixin; Hua Shan; Yuan Yuhua; Hou Yawen; Gong Lili; Liu Xiaohan; Lou Xinyu; Yang Yang; Chong Yaqi; Yuan Yaning; Xu Jiayi; Liu Lu; Li Jiayin; Han Wenzhi; Wang Xi; Wang Yuquan; Zhou Yiru; Zhang Juanyi；Zhang Kaiyang; Zhou Nan; Zhang Xun; Liu Qianying; Chen Zeyu; Li Ziyue）
