The State Council of China has urged the country’s regional authorities to take measures to stabilise exports and imports, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

In a statement issued after a meeting held on Tuesday, the State Council said measures adopted by the country’s free trade zones – in order to facilitate trade – should be duplicated and used in other parts of China. The country’s Premier, Li Keqiang, chaired the meeting.

The statement – quoted by the media outlet – also said customs areas in the country should unify standards. Additionally, examination procedures should be simplified.

Xinhua also quoted the State Council as saying financial institutions should enhance credit support to companies that have received export orders, as well as help them control exchange rate risks. Financial institutions should also expand the coverage of export credit insurance, the State Council added.

China’s exports were down 1.6 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, Xinhua said. The nation’s imports fell 4.8 percent year-on-year during that January to July period, it added.