Statistics from the province's foreign trade departments show that during the period from January to August, commodities with a combined value of 130 million US dollars were exported to Russia, an increase of 44.8 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the province's import volume from Russia during the first half of the year rose by 34.1 percent to stand at 12.04 million US dollars.

Of the total of 130 million US dollars in exports, approximately 70.79 million US dollars consisted of leather attire, up 70.2 percent year-on-year.

Apart from clothing, porcelain for sanitary facilities, foodstuffs and other light industrial products, goods exported to Russia also included farm produce, electromechanical products, medicines and textile goods.

Experts with the local foreign trade departments attributed thegrowth to the continuous improvement of the Russian economy. They believed Russia's efforts in joining the World Trade Organization will lead to easier market access and lower import tariffs.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2002)