Core Insights - The overall business and open economy in Changsha has shown a stable and progressive trend despite challenges, with key indicators reflecting positive growth [1] Economic Performance - From January to July, the total retail sales in Changsha reached 326.914 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.9%, surpassing the national average by 1.1 percentage points [1] - The number of newly added large-scale retail and catering enterprises was 325, marking a growth of 28.5% [1] - The total import and export value was 162.73 billion, an increase of 1.5% year-on-year, accounting for 52.9% of the province's total, with non-trade growth at 57.5%, representing 54.4% of the provincial total [1] - Actual foreign investment increased by 26.3% [1] - A total of 116 major projects were newly introduced, with a total investment of 102.29 billion [1] Strategic Focus - The city aims to boost consumption and explore domestic demand potential through initiatives like the "Xiangchao" consumption activities and promoting vehicle replacement programs [1] - There is a focus on enhancing foreign trade by supporting enterprises in participating in trade fairs and expanding into emerging markets such as Africa, ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea [1] - Efforts will be made to attract investment by leveraging industry chains, funds, and business-to-business investments, with high-quality projects being signed during events like the Xiangtai Conference and Tourism Development Conference [1] - The city is committed to making a strong push in the third quarter to ensure high-quality development for the year [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the proactive measures taken by Suzhou City to boost foreign trade amidst challenges, resulting in significant growth in import and export activities, particularly through innovative products and cross-border e-commerce initiatives [6][10]. Foreign Trade Growth - From January to April this year, Suzhou's foreign trade reached 2.473 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 33.13%, the highest growth rate in the province [7]. - Exports accounted for 2.113 billion yuan, up 21.12%, while imports surged to 360 million yuan, reflecting a remarkable increase of 218.39% [7]. Industry Development - Suzhou is leveraging its abundant soybean straw resources to produce wood-plastic flooring, which is exported to 82 countries and regions [9]. - The city has established three national foreign trade transformation and upgrading bases, focusing on textiles, fruits, and green home products, to enhance the scale and cluster development of foreign trade enterprises [9][10]. Cross-Border E-Commerce - The establishment of the Alpha Cross-Border E-Commerce Industrial Park has been pivotal in supporting local businesses to engage in international trade through platforms like Amazon and Alibaba [16]. - In the first four months of this year, the cross-border e-commerce transaction volume in Suzhou reached 61.53 million yuan, indicating a growing trend in online international sales [17]. Market Expansion Strategies - Companies are encouraged to participate in both domestic and international exhibitions to expand their market reach, with government support for participation in key trade shows [12][13]. - The city is actively promoting international product certifications and trademark registrations to enhance the competitiveness of high-tech and high-value-added products in foreign markets [13]. Resource Sharing and Collaboration - Local enterprises are forming partnerships across various sectors, such as fruit processing and smart home appliances, to share resources and achieve mutual benefits in export activities [17].