Shenzhen has ranked top among all large and medium-sized Chinese cities in import and export volume for 17 consecutive years. Of the 500 biggest global companies, 166 have branches in the city. One in every five cell phones is made in Shenzhen.

 

Imports and Exports

Total exports and imports reached US$270.155 billion in 2009. Total exports topped the country for the 17th consecutive year with US$161.979 billion, comprising 13.5 percent of the national total. Total imports reached US$108.176 billion.

 

Direct Foreign Investment

In 2009, direct foreign investment in Shenzhen reached US$4.16 billion, up 3.2 percent from the previous year. Of the figure, the investment in manufacturing accounted for 36.4 percent, transport, storage and post 2.1 percent, rental service and commercial service 6.2 percent and housing 6.1 percent. A total of 166 of the world's Top 500 companies have invested in Shenzhen. 

 

Economic and Technological Cooperation

In 2009, new contracts worth US$7.39 billion were signed in labor and engineering projects, up 0.3 percent from the previous year. The contracts resulted in turnover of US$7.15 billion, up 9.4 percent from the previous year. 

 

Outbound Investment

Shenzhen encouraged local firms to tap overseas markets. Between 2005 and 2009, Shenzhen companies had set up 405 firms outside the mainland, involving a total investment of US$2.73 billion. Construction on the China-Vietnam (Shenzhen-Hai Phong) economic and trade zone began.