Guangxi trade with ASEAN members hits record high ( 2004-01-21 14:17) (Xinhua)
Trade between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and members of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hit a record US$826 million
in 2003, marking five years of consecutive growth, customs figures show.
The trade volume was 31.5 per cent higher than the previous year.
The principal imports from ASEAN nations were industrial raw materials, while
electronic and machinery products were the major exports, accounting for 30 per
cent of the region's total exports to ASEAN.
Border trade made up 65 percent of Guangxi's total imports and exports to
ASEAN members. Border trade exports rose 52.7 per cent to 314 million US
dollars, while imports grew 59 per cent to US$221 million.
Vietnam continued to be Guangxi's largest trade partner of the 10 ASEAN
members. The total trade volume between Guangxi and Vietnam stood at US$666
million last year, accounting for 81 per cent of Guangxi's total trade with
ASEAN.
A customs official estimated trade between Guangxi and ASEAN members would
see a sharp rise this year as a result of scrapping tariffs on fruit traded
between China and Thailand since October last year.
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