Sharp rise in imports through Shanghai ( 2003-07-14 14:44) (Xinhua)
Imports through Shanghai port totaled US$39.19 billion in the first
half of this year, an increase of 51.5 percent over the same period last year.
Statistics from Shanghai Customs show demand for high-tech and new-tech
equipment, raw materials and energy products surged due to the rapid economic
development in the east China's financial hub.
Imports of mechanical and electrical products totaled US$24.15
billion, up 57.1 percent year on year. The value of imported mobile phones was
160 million US dollars, more than five times the level of the same period last
year.
Meanwhile, imports of automatic data processing equipment and
parts, steel and natural rubber totaled US$1.39 billion, US$1.62 billion and US$130 million
respectively.
Foreign-funded enterprises contributed to 64.7 percent of the import total,
while imports by state-owned and private enterprises amounted to 11.92 billion
and 1.12 billion US dollars respectively.
Imports from Japan, the European Union (EU) and the United States (US)
account for 53.3 percent of the import total, with that from Japan, EU and US
totaling 8.42 billion, 8.19 billion and 4.26 billion US dollars respectively.
In the first six months of this year, exports through Shanghai
port amounted to US$49.97 billion, up 36.1 percent. Exports and imports totaled 89.16
billion US dollars, an increase of 42.5 percent over the same period of 2002.
