Containers collect and disperse goods at Mandula Port. [Photo/Baotou news network]

Opening up is a necessary part of a city's economic development. Relying on the convenient location of the port, Baotou has seized opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and is promoting the improvement of infrastructure construction at the Mandula Port.

The port has shifted its focus from bulk to container connection, and its outbound transportation has been upgraded from single road transportation to road-rail combined transportation.

Baotou has continuously strengthened the facilitation of customs clearance and cargo clearance and launched a zero-kilometer container hoisting customs clearance model. The single-day shipment volume increased from a daily average of 5,000 metric tons to a record 22,400 tons.

In addition, Baotou has been rapidly developing foreign trade and has completed connections with more than 50 foreign-funded enterprises and realized the actual utilization of $40 million in foreign capital.

The city will actively promote the construction of a cross-border e-commerce platform and encourage Ningbo International Logistics to carry out a Baotou cross-border e-commerce public service supporting construction project starting July 7 and strive to complete it by Spetember.

This year, Baotou will focus on 15 projects in the fields of infrastructure construction, industrial development, and emergency reserves, with a total investment of 3 billion yuan ($444.02 million). The Mandula Port railway link has also been technically connected with the Mongolian Ulaanbaatar Railway Design Institute.