| The China import market is of increasing interest to | | | | recent opening of the Hangzhou Bridge. |
| many UK small businesses as the China economy | | | | The port of Shanghai is fighting against its flagging |
| continues to expand. | | | | growth and is implementing strategies designed to |
| But freight forwarding from China is something that | | | | turn Shanghai into a major Asian hub to rival Hong |
| UK businesses see as something of a mystery, | | | | Kong and Singapore. This will be achieved partly by |
| compared with freight forwarding to and from | | | | establishing feeder ports along the Yangtse River, |
| Europe and other more familiar countries. | | | | establishing a regional feeder network with Shanghai |
| It is important to take advice from a freight | | | | as the centre of a massive international freight hub. |
| forwarding company with experience of China import | | | | This international freight development ties in with the |
| as China is expected to continue to be the leading | | | | government's plan to create a year round shipping |
| factory of the world, with its efficient manufacturing, | | | | channel from Chongquing to the sea. By summer |
| low labour costs and high quality international freight | | | | 2009, when the Three Gorges Dam is completed, the |
| infrastructure. | | | | average river journey time between Chongquing and |
| Although labour costs in China are rising, they remain | | | | Shanghai will be cut in half, to about seven days. And |
| competitive and, with the possible exception of | | | | this will be complemented by a billion dollar riverside |
| apparel, it is predicted that China will further increase | | | | railway project that will slash the journey time |
| its share of global production. In particular, there is | | | | between Chonngquing and Shanghai from 41 hours to |
| ample scope to increase exports to Europe, where | | | | 10. |
| levels of China import do not yet match the US | | | | These kind of huge infrastructure projects are |
| levels. | | | | happening all over China and revolutionising the |
| As China's economy is growing so fast, there are | | | | options for international freight forwarding from |
| many infrastructure changes happening that affect | | | | China. |
| freight forwarding and other freight services. This | | | | UK businesses that are entering the China import |
| means that it can be hard for the business owner to | | | | market should make sure that they choose a freight |
| keep up to date on all the changes that may affect | | | | forwarding company with know-how, up-to date |
| his own international freight. | | | | knowledge and an experienced local network of |
| For example, to cope with growth in freight | | | | freight forwarding agents. Not all shipping companies |
| forwarding, new container ports are being built and | | | | can provide this winning combination. |
| existing facilities expanded along China's eastern | | | | The importance of a strong local freight forwarding |
| coast. | | | | network cannot be emphasised enough, when it |
| There is already a capacity shortage problem in | | | | comes to China import, so choose your freight |
| Shanghai, so we are now seeing expansion of | | | | company wisely. |
| deepwater ports in Ningbo, especially after the | | | | |