The total value of imports and exports in the first quarter of 2019 hit 4.54 billion yuan ($675 million) in Baotou, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to statistics from Baotou customs.

The figure represents a year-on-year growth of 17.2 percent and accounts for 17.3 percent of all imports and exports in the autonomous region, making Baotou the second largest importer/exporter in Inner Mongolia.

Exports were valued at 2.69 billion yuan, up 28.2 percent year on year. Imports were valued at 1.85 billion yuan, up 4.2 percent year on year.

Australia was Baotou’s largest trade partner in the first quarter, with the total value of bilateral trade between the two countries reaching 1.34 billion yuan. Second was Vietnam with a total trade value of 470 million yuan.

Mandula Port in Baotou has built a special border trade zone in an attempt to branch out into new types of trade. [Photo/publicity department of Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner]