Hebei Business Network reported imports and exports of the province have exceeded 60 percent of the set goals in the first half of this year. Hebei ranked first among China’s top 10 foreign trade provinces.

Between January and June of this year, the total volume of foreign trade in the province amounted to $19 billion, up 40.6 percent last year. Exports increased by 51.8 percent to $10.41 billion. Import values rose to $8.59 billion -- a 29.1 percent step up. Foreign trade volume, export volume and import volume all ranked tenth domestically, and the rate of export growth ranked first among foreign trade provinces.

According to the network, 1,465 Hebei-based companies broke from zero foreign trade, making $760 million in exports, which accounts for 7.3 percent of the province’s total export value and contributing 21.5 percent to the province’s export growth rate.

By Li Jing (Chinadaily.com.cn)