URUMQI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Foreign trade in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region surged over 22.5 percent to 11 billion yuan (about 1.6 billion U.S. dollars) in April, buoyed by booming border trade, custom authorities said.

Exports grew by 15.3 percent to reach 8.3 billion yuan, and imports reached 2.68 billion yuan, up 51.9 percent year on year, Urumqi Customs said.

Private companies played important roles in the trade, the customs said.

Trade between Xinjiang and neighboring Kazakhstan expanded by 51.9 percent year on year in April. Double-digit growth is also seen in trade between the region with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, according to customs data.