湖南自贸试验区：制度创新打造扩大开放“强引擎”

Core Viewpoint - Hunan Free Trade Zone is leveraging institutional innovation to enhance its role as a strong engine for expanding openness, focusing on unique regional characteristics and strategic positioning to drive economic growth and reform [1][2]. Group 1: Institutional Innovation and Economic Impact - The Hunan Free Trade Zone has established a digital protection platform for trade secrets, benefiting 664 enterprises and creating over 10.77 million records of innovation, which aids in legal protection and has been replicated nationwide [1]. - Over the past five years, the Hunan Free Trade Zone has seen the establishment of more than 54,000 new enterprises and attracted 575 major projects with a total investment of 767.37 billion yuan, resulting in 109 institutional innovation achievements, 51 of which are nationally pioneering [2][4]. Group 2: Regional Collaboration and Trade Facilitation - The zone has implemented a "cross-border lock" rapid customs clearance model, improving logistics efficiency by approximately 50% and reducing logistics costs by 15% for businesses in the region [3]. - The introduction of a new regulatory model for imported transshipment goods at the Yangtze River ports has led to significant cost savings for enterprises, with annual reductions in freight costs exceeding 30 million yuan [3]. Group 3: International Trade and Cooperation - Hunan has established cooperation mechanisms with 28 African countries, positioning itself as a unique strategic player in deepening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation [4]. - From 2021 to 2024, Hunan's trade with Africa has maintained an average annual growth rate of 14.3%, with a total import and export value of 38.44 billion yuan in the first eight months of this year, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 13.2% [5].