Ministry of Commerce Helps Foreign Trade Enterprises to Fight the coronavirus Epidemic

In response to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic on foreign trade companies, the Ministry of Commerce has recently introduced countermeasures. In particular, the “Notice on Assisting Foreign Trade Enterprises to Overcome Difficulties to Overcome Difficulties and Reduce Losses” issued by the General Office of the Ministry of Commerce on February 5 resolutely implement the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, actively do a good job in epidemic response, and help enterprises maintain their legitimate rights and interests Reduce economic losses, welcomed by the industry.

Overcoming difficulties and reducing losses

"Foreign trade enterprises provide corresponding materials through the online system we developed, and after careful review, they can handle force majeure factual proof." Wang Guiqing, vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Mechanical and Electrical Products, revealed in an interview with the International Business Daily Convenience measures. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce also provides enterprises with legal consulting, exhibition coordination, supply and demand docking and other corresponding services, and is still studying further measures.

This is a microcosm of the Ministry of Commerce's guidance to the Chamber of Commerce in actively responding to the epidemic situation. At present, the epidemic is still in a high incidence period, and foreign trade enterprises are generally affected. The above notice clearly states that the Ministry of Commerce instructs the six chambers of commerce of textiles, light industry, Minmetals, soil, machinery and electronics, and medical insurance to make every effort to issue related services such as force majeure certificates, legal consultation, participation coordination, and supply and demand docking.

Wang Guiqing said that the time of the outbreak was just around the Spring Festival, which brought great difficulties to the production of enterprises. Under the current situation of epidemic prevention and control, enterprises have postponed resumption of work, some orders cannot be delivered on time, and temporary exhibitions outside the country cannot be scheduled for the time being, which brings large direct losses to the enterprise. For enterprises contracting engineering projects, materials, equipment supply and personnel arrival are all affected, and the impact and loss caused by delays in construction periods are greater.

"From the current assessment, the loss is huge." Fan Sihua, chairman of Shanghai Furong Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., reported in an interview with the International Business Daily reporter that the situation is common among foreign trade companies. Fan Sihua said that spring is the peak season for domestic and overseas exhibitions. The company booked a lot of exhibition booths last year, and prepaid booth fees, decoration fees, etc. Samples, air tickets and accommodation for travellers invested heavily. However, at present, Europe and the United States have suspended Chinese flights, and coupled with domestic quarantine measures, companies are unable to go to the exhibition, resulting in huge direct losses.

Zhao Ping, director of the International Trade Research Department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said in an interview with the reporter of the International Business Daily that in the short term, the impact and difficulties of foreign trade enterprises are indeed greater, but if the epidemic is controlled in time, the overall impact on foreign trade will not be significant. It will be too big. The service measures proposed by the Ministry of Commerce and the Six Major Chambers of Commerce are very timely and can effectively help foreign trade enterprises to deal with the real problems faced during the epidemic.

Overcoming difficulties to resume production

Facing the difficulties encountered by enterprises, the Ministry of Commerce has intensified the release of policies and measures from organizing the expansion of imports of epidemic prevention materials to facilitating the import and export of technology. In the above notice, the Ministry of Commerce directed the six major chambers of commerce to release four services: First, the chambers of commerce will assist the enterprises in need to issue a force majeure factual proof of failure to deliver on time due to the epidemic situation; second, the chambers of commerce will Provide necessary legal and information services to enterprises in response to relevant trade restrictions due to the epidemic; Third, the chambers of commerce will coordinate exhibition organizations at home and abroad to help companies that cannot participate in the exhibition due to the epidemic to properly handle paid issues and other related issues; It is the chambers of commerce that strengthen communication with enterprises and local governments, share information about products and services in time, and build a bridge between supply and demand.

Wang Guiqing said that after the notice was forwarded by the chamber of commerce, the traffic reached about 10,000 in the afternoon, and received a large number of consultation calls. At present, many companies have submitted relevant materials for the factual proof of force majeure. The review has successively issued force majeure factual proof.

"As of the end of March, we have participated in 17 domestic and overseas exhibitions, and are intensively coordinating." Wang Guiqing said that the chamber of commerce has been contacting the exhibition organizers, exhibition organizations and exhibitors, and strive to have companies with overseas branches on schedule Exhibits; for most companies that do not have overseas branches, coordinate with the organizer to resolve follow-up matters, and strive to minimize losses for the enterprise.

Zhao Ping believes that the service measures taken by the Ministry of Commerce to guide the six chambers of commerce are highly targeted, which will help companies overcome difficult times. First, issuing force majeure factual evidence can meet the exemption clauses in international trade contracts and help enterprises stop losses; Second, some countries have issued a travel ban on China, and the number of flights has been significantly reduced. Chinese companies are affected. Exhibitors can recover the costs related to the participation based on force majeure; Legal advisory services help companies respond calmly. Fourth, the supply and demand matching service provided by the chamber of commerce can create business opportunities for enterprises and better overcome difficulties until normal production is restored.

While reducing losses, foreign trade companies interviewed are generally paying attention to issues such as resumption of work and supply of epidemic prevention materials, as well as inspection and quarantine in trade. Zhao Ping proposes to ensure epidemic prevention, transportation and other safeguards for resumption of work, and at the same time to strengthen personnel information, personnel training and other services, foreign trade development funds can further tilt towards SMEs.