The total value of its imports and exports for April hit 9.1 billion US dollars, an increase of 55.2 percent over the same period last year. Exports reached 4.67 billion US dollars, up 51.6 percent, while imports registered 4.43 billion US dollars, an increase of 59.3 percent on last year.

In the first four months of this year, the total value of its imports and exports reached 30.2 billion US dollars, a rise of 57.3 percent over the same period last year.

Exports accounted for 15.43 billion US dollars, an increase of 42.9 percent, while imports reached 14.77 billion US dollars, up 75.9 percent.

Economists said that Jiangsu's foreign trade was characterized by a rapid increase in conventional trade exports, and a large drop in imports.

Processing trade exports experienced robust growth, with a decrease in imports.

Exports generated by foreign funded enterprises continued to increase.

But experts said the SARS epidemic would probably cause Jiangsu's foreign trade to drop off somewhat in coming months.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2003)