The foreign trade volume of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the first four months of 2003 hit US$970 million, up 21.7 percent from the same period last year.

During the period, exports reached US$360 million, up 26.6 percent, and imports were US$610 million, up 19.7 percent.

The figures indicate that severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) had little influence on foreign trade in the region, said Bai Dun, head of the provincial government department of exports and imports. But he added that the situation would be tough in the next few months.

The provincial government would step up quarantine inspections of exported goods to ensure they were of good quality and free of the SARS virus, said the official.