Railway workers from China and Russia exchange documents sealed in disinfected bags in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/China Daily]

The foreign trade of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region reached 29.81 billion yuan ($4.42 billion) in the first quarter of 2022, according to statistics from Hohhot Customs.

The region's exports during the period surged 20.9 percent year-on-year to more than 13.13 billion yuan, while its imports decreased 12.8 percent to 16.68 billion yuan.

From January to March, private enterprises led Inner Mongolia's foreign trade. The value of imports and exports of private enterprises reached 20.22 billion yuan, an increase of 3.9 percent and accounting for 67.9 percent of the autonomous region's total foreign trade value during the same period.

The imports and exports of State-owned enterprises totaled 7.03 billion yuan, a decrease of 20.6 percent. While that of foreign-funded enterprises came in at 2.52 billion yuan, an increase of 53.2 percent.

General trade accounted for the highest portion of Inner Mongolia's foreign trade, while imports and exports related to processing trade increased significantly.

General trade imports and exports were valued at 21.31 billion yuan, an increase of 4.7 percent, while processing trade imports and exports were valued at 2.31 billion yuan, a surge of 146.8 percent.

Additionally, the city of Bayannuur saw the highest trade among cities and leagues in Inner Mongolia with a value of 5.92 billion yuan. It was followed by the city of Hohhot at 5.25 billion yuan, Baotou at 4.5 billion yuan and Ordos at 3.58 billion yuan.

Moreover, with the official implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year, Inner Mongolia's imports and exports to RCEP member countries reached 9.04 billion yuan in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 9.3 percent. Exports of goods exceeding $19 million enjoyed preferential tariffs as well.

In addition, Inner Mongolia's imports and exports to ASEAN, the European Union, New Zealand and the United States were valued at 3.65 billion, 2.16 billion, 1.86 billion and 1.47 billion yuan, up 40.5 percent, 66.4 percent, 14.1 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.