Two business zones close to Beijing's Capital International Airport look set to become home to a modern logistics center and the hub of major, export-oriented enterprises.

Just 1 kilometre from the airport, a 90-minute drive to the port of Tianjin and adjacent to the Beijing-Chengde Expressway, Beijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone and Beijing Tianzhu Export Processing Zone are ideally placed.

"We are developing a modern logistics park in Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone," explained Li Yousheng, director of the administrative committees of the two zones. "Currently there are 23 logistics and related enterprises, amounting to a total investment of 4.6 billion yuan (US$554 million), located in the park."

The enterprises include the professional logistics service providers -- FedEx, DHL, DGM and Datian -- and air communications business operators, including Airbus and Air China.

To allow customs procedures, cargo forwarding and distribution to run smoothly and efficiently, purpose built sites have been constructed. These include a customs declaration building, commodity inspection and quarantine building, cargo inspection site and customs supervised warehouse, revealed Li.

In addition, an airport Logistical Information Service Center has been set up to handle the online logistics operation.

A spokesman from Airbus China Aviation Training Center and Assistance Center said that it is the first time Airbus has set up an assistance center outside Europe and America. This, he added, reflected the company's confidence in the Chinese market and the facilities afforded by Tianzhu. The focus of those enterprises operating in the zones should be export-oriented, with over 70 per cent of their products destined for the world market.

( China Daily September 4, 2002)