The export value from the ceramics industry in Faku county in 2017 exceeded $100 million, with customers from over 20 countries and regions, according to information released by Faku Economic Development Zone on Jan 25.

Faku, which is in Lioaning province and is known as “China's Ceramic Valley”, started the industry in 2002. Over more than 15 years, the ceramics sector has gradually become the leading industry in the development of Faku's economy, and the county has already established its own industrial park, which is home to around 250 businesses.

The park mainly undertakes the research, production and sale of different types of ceramics.

At present, Faku industrial park has around 1,000 ceramic brands and 12 categories of ceramic products, and a complete industrial chain has taken shape.

In recent years, due to the economic downturn in China and overcapacity in the ceramics industry, Faku has suffered from low prices and a smaller share of the market.

To arrest the decline and accelerate the development of Faku’s ceramics industry, the county officially launched the “Go out” strategy, which involves exporting more ceramics to more countries and regions, and actively participating in the global market.

Early in 2016, the Faku government rented a logistics warehouse in Dubai, one of the most important transfer stations in the Middle East.

In May 2016, the government reached a strategic agreement with Dalian Port, Yingkou Port and Shenyang Railway Bureau to cooperate on opening a railway and shipping channel for Faku’s ceramics, which has helped cut nearly two-thirds of export logistics costs.

Meanwhile, the government organized local ceramics companies to establish the Faku Ceramics Export Group, with the aim of enhancing competitiveness.

In early 2017, Faku set a target of earning $100 million from ceramics exports, and it actually earned $102 million by the end of the year - a huge breakthrough for the local ceramics industry.

The Faku government is planning to further promote ceramics in the African and North American markets, and to dominate markets in Russia, Mongolia and South Korea.

In 2018, Faku will launch more trade facilitation policies to help its ceramics industry to improve its export industrial chain and cut logistics costs.

Foreign customers pay a visit to Faku county’s ceramics industrial park. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Classical pattern ceramic tiles produced by Faku county’s ceramic businesses on display at the industrial park. [Photo/Chinanews.com]