The customs department of the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, reported a slight increase in trade with the Middle East via Tianjin Port in the first quarter of this year.
The statistics show that total trade volume between the two sides increased by 5.2 percent, with exports up 3.2 percent and imports, 15.8 percent over the same period last year.
According to customs, imports from the Middle East consisted mainly of plastic materials, while the exports consisted mainly of electronics, textile fabrics and clothing.
The ongoing US-led war in Iraq had an obvious impact on trade between the two sides during the first quarter, said customs.
Notwithstanding, the parties concerned predict that the impact will be temporary and short-term and that Chinese enterprises will have ample opportunities to win construction contracts in the Middle East.
(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2003)
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