New heartland express?(world news: ASIA)

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Airfreight operators are headed for China's interior as Beijing's stimulus package aims to boost development away from the coast.

On July 1 Kuehne + Nagel opened a branch in Chongqing in Sichuan Province. With a population base of 31 million, Chongqing is one of China's four provincial-level municipalities (beside Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin).

"Previously we covered Chongqing from our office in Chengdu, but we wanted to be closer to our customers," said Jens Drewes, national manager for Central and Northern China. "We see opportunities in a number of sectors, like the automotive industry or air conditioning equipment."

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