Qingdao FTZ becoming a big draw for Japanese, Korean enterprises

The club's boom is a microcosm of what's happening in the Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) since it was launched a year ago, which aims to be a gateway to Japan and South Korea and connect Shanghai Cooperation Organization-related countries, central and eastern European countries as well as members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Qingdao Area of the Shandong FTZ has established a special consumption zone, which features commodities from Japan and South Korea and selected brands from around the world.

With help of cutting-edge technologies such as Internet of Things, intelligent devices and big data, consumers are encouraged to enjoy shopping experience at brick-and-mortar stores in the zone and purchase goods online.

Every customer can avail the duty-free policy in a year with the total sum of purchase no more than 26,000 yuan and the single transaction no more than 5,000 yuan.

The trade volume of consumption is expected to reach 50 billion yuan in 2025 from currently 5 billion yuan in the Qingdao Area of the Shandong FTZ, according to the area's working committee.

Inbound tourists from Japan and South Korea number 630,000 arrivals now. The figure is expected to reach 1.4 million in five years, the working committee added.