The first phase of Cuntan bonded area in Chongqing municipality has passed state appraisal. China’s first inland bonded area is now cleared to open for business by the end of May.

An authentication team from the State Council examined the area’s infrastructure construction, Customs services and monitoring facilities.

The entire area will cover 8.37 sq km and will cost Rmb10bn to construct. It is centred on Cuntan container terminal and Jiangbei international airport. Work on phase one, which covers 2.67 sq km, started in June 2009, and the second and third phases are scheduled for completion in 2015.