Shantou City's Trade with ASEAN Grows Rapidly

After China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is established, the lowering of tariff barriers and the favorable geographical position of Shantou accelerate the rapid growth of trade between Shantou and ASEAN. Since the first half of this year, after ASEAN replaced the U.S. and became the largest trading partner of Shantou's export and import, Shantou continues to maintain the good momentum on import and export to ASEAN in July. The export was USD 54.46 million, and the import was USD 29.32 million, increased by 31.4 and 54.6 respectively.

The main trading partners in ASEAN region of Shantou are Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Toys, electromechanical roducts, agricultural products and textiles as well as clothing have become the main products of Shantou exported to ASEAN, while the major products imported from ASEAN include plastic raw materials, styrene, waste plastics and electrical products, etc. The private enterprises have become the main force of import and export to ASEAN, and the import and export of the foreign-invested enterprises have increased over 5 percent.

Source:Shantou Daily, Sept 5,2010