Guangzhou sees surge in drone exports

Drone makers in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, exported more than 6,100 drones in the first five months, up 252 percent year-on-year, and achieved a record for the period, according to a statement released by the municipal commerce bureau of the provincial capital.

More than half of the 6,134 drones delivered are for agricultural use, the statement said.

The surge of the city's drone businesses is playing a bigger role in the development of the global farm management sector, allowing high-tech-assisted agriculture to benefit more countries and regions around the world, it added.

Most of the drones were exported to markets in Southeast Asia, South America and Central Asia.

Liu Qing, director of the foreign trade management office of Guangzhou's municipal commerce bureau, said the city's rapid growth of drone exports has indicated that Guangzhou's low-altitude economy, represented by drones, is gaining traction in the global market.

Liu attributed the surge of the city's drone exports to local drone enterprises' greater efforts in exploring the global market since the beginning of the year, leading to bigger brand influence and global market share.

"Under the premise of standardized management, the convenience of drone exports continues to improve through institutional innovation."

A group of leading drone companies, such as XAG, EHang and Xpeng Aeroht, are now actively expanding their global presence.

Qian Shuting, manager of public affairs at XAG, said that previously, it took a company about two months to obtain an export license, but now the time has been greatly reduced.

"Efficiency is crucial for us to seize orders," said Qian, adding that the customized approval from government departments has addressed the urgent needs of enterprises.

"From accelerated approval to convenient Customs clearance, government services have truly made us feel the improvement of Guangzhou's business environment."

Established in 2007, XAG is one of China's largest agricultural drone manufacturers and a smart agriculture technology company.

The company is also a national "little giant" enterprise, which refers to outstanding specialized, high-tech small and medium-sized firms.

Zhang Ke, an official with the local Customs, said Guangdong's foreign trade increased 4 percent year-on-year to 4.55 trillion yuan ($633.81 billion) in the first half of the year.

The biggest foreign trading province sold 2.89 trillion yuan worth of products abroad while purchasing goods valued at 1.66 trillion yuan from the rest of the world. The figures represented a year-on-year growth of 1.1 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.

The province's imports and exports have all reached a record high in the first six months, Zhang said.