It was learned from the Yichang Customs that the total import and export value came to 3.8 billion RMB in the first quarter of this year with year-on-year (the same below) growth of 6.5 percent, of which the export value reached 3.15 billion RMB, with growth of 6.3 percent; the imports 650 million RMB, with growth of 7.6 percent. The trade surplus reached 2.5 billion RMB and expanded by 5.5 percent. The foreign trade structure of Yichang was continuously optimized.

Processing trade export increases substantially

　　In the first quarter, the imports and exports of Yichang reached 2.43 billion RMB, among which the export reached 2.11 billion RMB and the import reached 320 million RMB. The import and export of processing trade reached 1.33 billion RMB, with growth of 66 percent, accounting for 35 percent of the total amount during the same period, with growth of 12.6 percentage points over the previous year.

　　Yichang customs officials believe that the large increase in processing trade is mainly benefited from the key projects introduced in Yichang, which have gradually achieved success of the growth of the export of processing trade, especially led to a large increase in the import and export of liquid crystal displays and their parts.

　　At the same time, ship exports are promoted by a mild recovery in the global economy, substantial increasing of demand for seaborne trade, the recovering of shipping industry, and the increasing frequency of domestic shipping companies’ delivery. As a result, the city’s ship export exceeded 300 million RMB, which was a big success.

High-tech industry enjoys strong progressing strength

　　In the first quarter, the export of high-tech products in Yichang increased steadily. The export of mechanical and electrical products reached 9.3 billion RMB, with growth of 1.1 times. The export of high-tech products reached 490 million RMB, with growth of 36.6 percent.

　　Among them, the export of color digital television receiver with liquid crystal display reached 150 million RMB, with growth of 6 times; the export of liquid cargo ship (customs code 89090090) reached 200 million RMB; the export of liquid crystal display board reached 34.24 million RMB, with growth of 282.4 times.

　　In terms of traditional competitive industries, the export of labor-intensive industries in Yichang reached 230 million RMB, with growth of 45 percent. Among them, the export of textile industry reached 200 million RMB, with growth of 74.7 percent; the export of agricultural products reached 390 million RMB, with growth of 24.8 percent; the export of the fresh apple in traditional agricultural products reached 4.337 million RMB, with growth of 4.6 times; the export of citrus fruit cans reached 30.87 million RMB, with growth of 62.6 percent; the export of tea reached 28.48 million RMB, with growth of 42.1 percent.

Discontinued tariff concessions: little impact

　　In the first quarter, import and export commodities in Yichang reached 887, of which the exports from the United States reached 117; the bilateral trade value reached 500 million RMB, accounting for 13.2 percent of the total amount.

　　The main imports from the United States contained uncombed cotton and single yarn, accounting for 84 percent the total value of imports. Exports to the United States mainly included absorbent cotton, gauze, bandages, other organ phosphorus derivatives, and so on.

　　After the United States imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products, one of the commodities in Yichang was affected. The export value of this product reached 115,000 RMB, accounting for 6.4 percent of the total amount.

　　Since Apr. 2nd, China has suspended tariff reduction obligations for 7 categories of 128 imported commodities made in the United States. In the first quarter, the export commodities from the United States reached 65 but not one of them was included in the list. Therefore, the adjustment of the tariff policy has not impacted the import enterprises in Yichang up to now. (Journalist Yang Jing, Correspondent Sun Furong)