Modernising a major Chinese port

The YEDZ is a state-level economic development zone established in 1992 by the State Council of China as part of the country’s reform and opening-up policy. Located within the Pearl River Delta and Southeast Asia economic circle, Yangpu aims to become the largest modern port industrial port area in China.

During the visit, PA investigated the geographic location, infrastructure, policies and regulations, as well as available support services and human resources. The PA team also interviewed government officials, managers of Yangpu Port and entrepreneurs from shipping, logistics, petroleum ad chemical and pulp and paper industries.

PA met with the YEDZ staff to learn about the current status of development, understand the plans and strategies of local governments and industries, and gather first-hand data to build a reasonable and solid basis for further analyses and project execution.

As a result of the initial meetings, PA proposed to conduct a number of studies:

1. a feasibility study on the establishment of the international trading centre;

2. a comparative study on the development of an international ports and logistics industry in Yangpu; and

3. a comparative study on the development of coastal industry and initiatives to be taken by YEDZ.

PA's work will form the growth and competitiveness strategy for the port and surrounding region as they leverage their status as only the fourth free zone in China and the only one situated to serve Southern China and Southeast Asia.