The import and export of Sichuan with emerging markets such as ASEAN and Africa have increased significantly in the first quarter with the growth rate of 8% and 43.8% respectively. Sichuan has witnessed a more balanced regional trade development.
　　
     According to the data of Chengdu Customs, the volume of import and export of Sichuan with Africa reaches 6.18 billion yuan, increasing as much as 43.8% in the first quarter of 2015 while the volume of import and export of Sichuan with ASEAN amounts to 19.35 billion yuan, increasing 8%. The volume of import and export of Sichuan with ASEAN accounts for 19.9% of the whole volume of import and export, growing 2.9 percentages compared with that of 2014.

     The whole volume of import and export of Sichuan in the first quarter is 97.46 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 7.4%, slightly higher than the national average decreasing rate of 6%.

     Meanwhile, the volume of import and export of Sichuan with America, the EU, Hong Kong and Japan reaches 19.65 billion yuan, 12.11 billion yuan, 7.1 billion yuan, 4.93 billion yuan respectively, decreasing 6.2%, 18.4%, 21.8%, and 12.7%.

　  Mr. Ni Zao, spokesman of Chengdu Customs and deputy chief of Chengdu Customs, declared that the most primary reason for foreign trade downturn was insufficient overseas market demand. Except America enjoying a relatively better economic situation, other major economies such as the EU and Japan are still experiencing a sluggish recovery. The current global insufficient growth momentum restrains the export of Sichuan. Moreover, the slower transfer pace of international industries to domestic market, the acceleration of transferring international industries to neighboring countries and orders, and the rising cost of domestic factors of production all result in the descending of Sichuan export.

     However, Mr. Ni Zao stressed that the development mode of Sichuan export was optimizing. Firstly, the export of most of the cities is increasing and the development of Sichuan export is more balanced. Among all the 21 cities of Sichuan, 12 cities have increased export volume in the first quarter. The proportion of Chengdu in the whole export volume of Sichuan has decreased from 79.3% to 75.3%, which indicates a more balanced regional development. Secondly, the trade mode is getting more optimized. The growth rate of general trade of Sichuan amounts to 6.4%, increasing 6.6 percentages in proportion. Compared with processing trade, the general trade has higher added values and more promotion for domestic economy. Thirdly, the growth rate of Sichuan with emerging markets such as ASEAN and Africa is accelerating. Sichuan is experiencing a trend for diversified markets. Besides, export reliance on major developed economies such as the EU, America and Japan is decreasing. Finally, the import prices are descending while the export prices are increasing slightly. The foreign trade condition is significantly improved with more profits.

     ”Currently Sichuan faces more severe and complicated situation for foreign trade. It is difficult for Sichuan to achieve a faster growth for 2015. But we are optimistic about the trade development of 2015.” Mr. Ni Zao said.