Shenzhen, a special economic zone in south China's Guangdong Province and a leading jewelry
processing and distribution base for the nation, exported US$390
million worth of jewelry in the first eight months of the year.
The export volume was 8.2 percent higher than the year-earlier
level, local customs sources said.
Of the total export volume; US$330 million came from
processing.
Between January and August, Shenzhen sold US$310 million worth
of jewelry to Hong Kong, up 7.7 percent, and US$25.27 million worth
to the United States, up 10.8 percent. But the city's jewelry
exports to the European Union went down 4.9 percent to US$26.54
million.
Industry insiders attributed the rosy picture for jewelry
exports to easy access to overseas market information and advanced
technology and techniques. Meanwhile, China scrapped an exam and
approval system for processing trade in gold ornaments. The policy
shift has helped jewelry processing businesses mushroom in
Shenzhen.
There are now 2,093 jewelry exporters in Shenzhen, 628 more than
a year earlier. However, only 55 of them have annual exports of
US$1 million or more. The 55 firms contribute 89.6 percent of the
city's total jewelry exports.
(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2006)
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