外汇局出台九项新举措 促进跨境贸易更便利

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has introduced a notification to further facilitate foreign exchange fund settlement, supporting stable development of foreign trade through nine policy measures aimed at optimizing convenience policies, supporting innovative business models, and enhancing the efficiency of fund utilization for service trade enterprises [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Measures - The notification includes nine policy measures that focus on promoting high-level openness in cross-border trade and expanding pilot areas to include more regions with compliant business entities that align with national strategic development [1][2]. - Since the pilot program began in 2022, regions such as Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, and Guangdong have implemented policies that facilitate foreign exchange fund payments for current account items and support new international trade settlement methods [2][3]. - The notification aims to simplify procedures for high-quality multinational companies regarding current account fund concentration and net settlement, allowing banks to efficiently handle foreign exchange business for these companies [2][3]. Group 2: Support for New Business Models - The notification encourages the inclusion of more new trade entities in the facilitation policies, leveraging reputable e-commerce platforms and foreign trade service companies to recommend and enhance credit for small and medium-sized enterprises [2][3]. - Banks are guided to shift from traditional document review methods to automated batch reviews based on electronic transaction information provided by foreign trade service companies, streamlining the payment process for new trade entities [3]. Group 3: Enhancing Fund Utilization Efficiency - The notification allows for the relaxation of management on service trade advance payment businesses, enabling domestic enterprises to directly handle payments for transportation, warehousing, and maintenance fees with their trading partners [3][4]. - It supports the centralized management of funds for overseas engineering contracting enterprises, facilitating the allocation of funds across countries and regions, which can effectively reduce financial costs and enhance project efficiency [4].