SIP, an experimental field for reform and opening-up, has harvested abundant fruit of innovation.

SIP created the SZV virtual system eighteen years ago for fast customs clearance and logistics support. The system has been connected with a number of airports across the country to provide convenient customs services for foreign trade dealers.

In 2019, an express airport-to-owner cargo delivery program was launched by China (Jiangsu) Pilot Free Trade Zone Suzhou Area (Suzhou FTZ) and Shanghai-based China Eastern Air Logistics Co Ltd (EAL). Based on the SZV, the program enables cargoes sorted at Shanghai airports to be directly delivered to SIP for distribution to the cargo owners.

In May, the Suzhou City Terminal of Shanghai Airport Authority (AVINEX) in SIP, which provides ticket booking, check-in and other services for passengers of AVINEX’s airports in Shanghai, got an IATA code, “SZO”, which marks that it has become a terminal of international flights.

Suzhou FTZ has made remarkable achievements in institutional innovations. It thus far has carried out 210 institutional innovations that play a pioneering or leading role in Jiangsu province and even the whole country, including 13 being rolled out nationwide and 53 duplicated across Jiangsu province.

Among the innovations are the management mechanism designed to lift restrictions for enterprises to import from overseas medical devices that are not registered in the country for use in R&D activities, and a series of other measures aimed at facilitating foreign investment and offshore trade.

These innovations have enabled the FTZ to better meet businesses’ needs, resolve challenges efficiently, join the efforts of multiple parties to promote innovations, and create a business environment that is conducive to international exchanges and cooperation.