Hunan's imports and exports with other BRICS countries-Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa-expanded 24.5% year-on-year to 43.6 billion yuan during the January-July period, data from the Changsha Customs showed on August 22. The figure accounted for 11.5% of Hunan's total foreign trade volume.

Mechanical and electrical products have been an important driver to boost Hunan's exports. According to customs statistics, in the first seven months, Hunan's exports of such products to other BRICS countries reached 14.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 58.7%, accounting for more than half of Hunan's total volume of exports to other BRICS countries during the same period. Among them, there was a notable growth in exports of automobiles (including chassis) and electrical equipment. Hunan's exports of high-tech products to other BRICS countries reached 3.52 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 37.6%.

Hunan mainly imported agricultural products from other BRICS countries, accounting for 44.4% of its total imports from these countries during the same period. Imports of edible aquatic products saw a rapid year-on-year increase of 714.7%.

Private enterprises have been the main driving force expanding into the markets of other BRICS countries. Customs statistics showed that, in the first seven months, the foreign trade of Hunan's private enterprises with these economies amounted to 32.94 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 37.5%, accounting for over 70% of Hunan's total imports and exports with these countries during the same period.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn