China's first inland bonded area, Cuntan Bonded Area in Chongqing Municipality, will open for business by the end of May, after its first-phase construction passed state appraisal on May 11.

The 8.37-square-km area connects the Cuntan Harbor, on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Jiangbei International Airport. Construction of the second and third phases is slated for completion in 2015.

The bonded area will focus on harbor business, air transportation, foreign trade, export-oriented processing and commodity displays, and is expected to accelerate the opening of China's central and western inland cities.

The bonded harbor area has attracted 94 domestic and overseas enterprises with 22 preferential policies.