Yiwu Economic and Technological Development Zone was established in Yiwu city, Zhejiang province, in August 1992. It was approved as a provincial-level economic development zone by the Provincial People's Government of Zhejiang in August 1994. In March 2012, it was upgraded to a national-level economic and technological development zone with the approval of the State Council. In 2016, it covered 106.5 square kilometers.

Over the past 20 years, Yiwu Economic and Technological Development Zone has formed a traditional advantageous industrial cluster formed by more than 10 industries, including socks, zippers and textiles. It is making efforts to cultivate emerging industries led by vehicle and auto parts manufacturing, new materials and biomedicine.  

By the end of 2017, there were 462 enterprises above designated size in the zone, as well as 33 brand-name enterprises, 92 high-tech enterprises, and 77 research and development centers at provincial level or above. Yiwu Economic and Technological Development Zone ranked ninth in the 2017 comprehensive evaluation of the province's economic development zones.