South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region more than doubled its import of farm produce from ASEAN members in the first eight months of 2006, largely due to cancellation of import duties on products from the nations concerned.

Local customs sources said between January and August, the region imported US$142 million worth of farm produce from ASEAN members, a 110 percent year-on-year growth. 70 percent of the total comprised border trade, up 83.7 percent from last year.

Private sector and foreign-funded companies contributed significantly to the import growth. In the Jan.-Aug. period, the private sector accounted for US$119 million of imports from ASEAN members, up 120 percent, while foreign-funded companies bought US$15.92 million, up 130 percent.

Most of the produce came from Vietnam, involving US$120 million in import value, up 110 percent, the local customs sources said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2006)