A person scans the QR code to learn about policies relevant to stabilizing foreign trade in Nantong. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The foreign trade volume of Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province increased 10.79 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, according to local municipal bureau of taxation.

Nantong achieved positive export growth to 129 countries and regions, with nearly 10 new foreign trade partners. The total export volume to six continents increased by 10.68 percent year-on-year, with exports to Latin America increasing by 45.12 percent and exports to Africa rising by 24.78 percent from last year.

As China's largest single agricultural chemical factory, Jiangsu Youjia Plant Protection is dedicated to building a diversified market. Despite the overall decline in the export of chemical industrial products, the company has achieved a counter-trend rise, making good use of its technological advantages for breakthroughs.

Zou Fuqing, the company's general manager, stated that the company focuses on high-end pesticide research and development, increasing raw material utilization by 20 percent and reducing emissions by 40 percent through clean processes, thereby building core competitiveness in green and intelligent production.

In the first quarter, the export value of the company's active pharmaceutical ingredients to the Brazilian market exceeded 90 million yuan ($12.34 million), a 350 percent year-on-year increase. The company's fifth-phase project is about to start production, with a projected capacity increase of 30 percent.

A staff member from the municipal bureau of taxation said they will provide strong support for local export enterprises to compete in the international market through follow-up guidance, data empowerment, and process optimization.