INLAND China's Wuhan government plans to optimise its port function serving hinterland areas this year, so as to create a better trade and business environment for new-coming manufacturers and local enterprises, reports Xinhua.
    The city's Donghu Complex Free Trade Zone will be completed and put into operation this year. The facility will help export enterprises save logistics cost and improve efficiency. In addition, the municipal government will apply to Beijing for building another free trade zone in Yangluo this year.
    Wuhan will launch direct international services to Paris and Singapore in April, increasing to a total of seven direct abroad services from Wuhan. Two transfer international services will also be launched the same time. Furthermore, the city will launch all cargo services to Dubai and Luxembourg in the second half of the year by then its cargo service network will cover the whole Middle East and the Europe.
    In addition, the city government is trying to invite Britain and Japan to set up consulate-general in Wuhan and request consulate-general of the USA to offer visa business.
 

(source:shipping online)