Xinzhou customs office -- located in Fenyuan West Street in Xinzhou city, in North China's Shanxi province -- opened on Oct 16, marking a milestone in the process of the city's opening-up. 

In recent years, Xinzhou has been expanding its reform and opening-up, to promote the rapid development of an export-oriented economy.

This has been reflected in the value of the city's foreign trade, which has increased year by year.

Meanwhile, the Wutaishan Airport Port has been opened and the construction of the Shanxi (Xinzhou) grain export platform has been accelerated, while a cross-border e-commerce platform has been developed. All these facilities need the help of customs.

Mayor Zhu Xiaodong urged the newly established Xinzhou customs office to help improve the attractiveness of the city and its local business for overseas investors, and to enhance the competitiveness of Xinzhou's exports.

Xinzhou's authorities will use the establishment of the customs office as a new starting point to further optimize the local business environment.

The authorities will also use its launch to help companies carry out the import and export trade, reduce their operating costs and enhance their competitiveness.

Currently, Shanxi has 11 customs offices in cities across the province.