By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

May 26 – Manzhouli is not a port that readily springs to mind when discussing China’s imports and exports, but it is the gateway through which an astonishing 60 percent of all of China’s trade to and from Russia and the rest of Eastern Europe pass. It is by far China’s largest inland port of entry, and borders Russia and Mongolia, earning it a unique status as a tri-country region.

Manzhouli borders the Russian city of Zabaykalsk with a free trade zone that allows residents from both sides to cross visa free. The area also includes an economic processing zone, while the local government has adopted a series of policies to boost border trade since the city was designated as an international port of entry in 1992. Manzhouli’s trade has shifted from waste steel, chemical fertilizers, fruit, vegetables and garments to timber, petroleum and technology. The growing industries in the city are repackaging, warehousing, goods consolidation, and distribution. The port is also home to over 200 import and export companies.

China Briefing readers are invited to participate in a UNDP sponsored event and investment workshop in Manzhouli on the 14th-15th of June. Organized through the offices of the Greater Tumen Initiative, the UNDP body responsible for China, Russia, Mongolia and Korea, an introduction to the investment environment of the border area (China, Russia and Mongolia) will be made by the local governments and a match-making session between attendees and local companies will be provided. A technical and tourism related tour will also be part of the agenda. The event will be of particular interest to businesses involved in, or wishing to learn about, opportunities in export processing between China, Russia and Mongolia, and getting access to markets in Eastern Europe from China.

Interested parties are asked to contact Yvonne Liang at the UNDP at xuyan.liang@undpaffiliates.org marked “GTI Investment Workshop” for full details and itinerary. There is no charge for attending the sessions other than attendee travel and hotel costs.

Chris Devonshire-Ellis is the Founding Partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, the Publisher of China Briefing, and an elected Congress member of the Business Advisory Council of the Greater Tumen Initiative.

Related Reading
Heading for the Borders – Trade Opportunities Along China’s Frontiers
Manzhouli, China’s Largest Inland Port of Entry

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