Yiwu is consolidating the application process for various types of business licenses and certificates. On May 1, the city, known for its small commodities market in Zhejiang province, began piloting measures to boost cross-border trade.
The consolidation measures enable import and export companies to acquire licenses and certificates in one go. A manager from Yiwu Wenda Import and Export Company, who became the first to go through the new procedures on May 2, said, “I have had plans to start a foreign trade company for quite a long time. I thought it would be a complex procedure, but this is very convenient. I just need to apply for it and get the license and certificate at one location.”
Using information technology tools, Yiwu authorities believe the reform will significantly simplify administrative approval procedures and reduce the transactional costs for businesses. With the new measures, the city hopes to improve efficiency and supervision, in a bid to invigorate its imports and exports and improve market access for its businesses in international trade.
According to local officials, Yiwu will next begin to promote paperless applications, allowing businesses to acquire licenses and certificates entirely online.