Inner Mongolia saw its foreign trade volume rise 9.6 percent year on year to 16.5 billion yuan ($2.46 billion) for January and February, according to Hohhot customs department.

The region's import volume saw a 10 percent year-on-year rise to 10.62 billion yuan, while its export volume reached 5.88 billion yuan –– year-on-year growth of 8.8 percent.

During the first two months of 2019, the region's foreign trade structure continued to change. The import and export of general trade items was 10.46 billion yuan -- an increase of 15 percent, accounting for 63.4 percent of the total foreign trade value of the region.

The import and export of private enterprises was 11.16 billion yuan, representing an increase of 9 percent, accounting for 67.7 percent of the foreign trade value of the region.

In addition, Inner Mongolia saw its foreign trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reach 10.19 billion yuan in the first two months of 2019, up 9.1 percent year on year. Trade between the region and BRI countries has become the new driving force behind the region’s trade growth.