Ningxia's Foreign Trade Hits Record HighThe Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China, reported a record high foreign trade volume of US$459 million for 2000.The region's exports have grown by over 10 percent annually for four consecutive years, with the volume for last year exceeding US$354 million, or 12 percent more than that for 1999. Exports of electro-mechanical and high-tech products have accounted for 45.4 percent of the region's total. The region's commodities, such as Ningxia's special products like chrome, beryllium and silica gel, are now exported to 84 countries and regions worldwide compared with 75 in 1999. At the same time, the improved investment environment in the region is attracting an increasing number of foreign investors. Statistics show that the region approved 42 foreign-funded enterprises in 2000, involving more than US$110 million of foreign investment in contractual terms and US$95.49 million in real terms, an increase of 130 percent over 1999. Foreign investors include many renowned multinationals such as Panasonic and Samsung Group. |
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