On August 10, journalists learnt from Hefei Customs that Anhui’s total goods‑trade import‑export value reached 738.9 billion yuan in the first seven months of this year, up 35.7% year‑on‑year, 18.4 percentage points higher than the national growth rate. Exports stood at 511.55 billion yuan (up 40.3%) and imports 227.35 billion yuan (up 26.5%). In July, the province’s monthly import‑export scale surpassed 120 billion yuan for the first time and has remained above 100‑billion‑yuan for five successive months.

Automobile exports remain a vital growth driver for Anhui’s foreign trade. Statistics show the province’s exports of mechanical and electrical products hit 403.13 billion yuan in the first seven months, climbing 55% and contributing 39.2 percentage points to provincial export growth. As Anhui’s competitive products, 1.227 million vehicles were exported, marking a 124.4% increase; the export value hit 1283.7 billion yuan with a 119.4% rise. Both export volume and value rank first nationwide.

Exports of the new trio represented by electric vehicles, lithium‑ion batteries and photovoltaic products have gathered pace, with the proportion of independent‑brand products steadily increasing. During the January‑July period, Anhui exported 100.47‑billion‑yuan worth of the new trio, surging 132.9% and accounting for 19.6% of total provincial exports. Over the same period, independent‑brand exports reached 265.34 billion yuan (up 46.3%), taking up 51.9% of all provincial exports and lifting export growth by 23 percentage points.

When it comes to imports, Anhui registers sound growth in primary‑commodity imports and sustained expansion in mechanical‑and‑electrical‑product imports. Primary‑product imports totaled 122.4 billion yuan (up 38.3%), accounting for 53.8% of aggregate imports and boosting provincial import growth by 18.9 percentage points. A total of 2.702 million tons of copper ore and concentrates were imported, up 6.6%, valued at 700.9 billion yuan with a 40.1% year‑on‑year increase. Meanwhile, imports of mechanical and electrical products hit 812.2 billion yuan (an 18.5% rise). Computer component imports reached 19.15 billion yuan (up 127.1%), and flat‑panel display module imports reached 3.72 billion yuan (up 7.2%).

Trade with major partners keeps growing and Anhui has fostered a more diversified overseas‑market layout. The European Union is Anhui’s top trading partner. The province’s import‑export turnover with the EU hit 104.89 billion yuan (up 42.2%) in the first seven months. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ranks second with 94‑billion‑yuan trade volume, rising 28%. Trade with Belt‑and‑Road Initiative partner countries reached 378.93 billion yuan (up 28.9%), accounting for 51.3% of Anhui’s total foreign‑trade value.

Besides, private enterprises dominate import‑and‑export business, and all types of market entities show markedly‑enhanced vitality. In the first seven months, private‑enterprise foreign‑trade turnover reached 395.86 billion yuan (up 41.1%), making up 53.6% of provincial total foreign‑trade volume. State‑owned enterprises recorded 192.67‑billion‑yuan imports and exports (up 49.9%, 26.1% share). Foreign‑funded enterprises achieved 150.32‑billion‑yuan trade turnover (up 11.2%, 20.3% share).

Source: Anhui Daily

Translated by Shao Hanzhe, intern