THE city’s car parts export volume was US$110 million in the first quarter this year, increasing by 41.7 percent compared with the same period last year.

    Ninety-two percent were exported by foreign-owned and private enterprises. Among these, foreign-owned companies’ car parts export volume was US$63.87 million, increasing by 29.4 percent, while private companies’ exports reached US$37.59 million, increasing by 52.2 percent compared with the same period last year. Collectively owned companies’ export volume was only US$4.16 million, increasing by 63.1 percent, but its growth rate was the fastest among competitors.

    The United States and Asia were two biggest markets. In the first quarter, the city’s exports to the United States reached US$41.51 million, increasing by 32.1 percent, while the volume to Asia was US$34.28 million, increasing by 39.2 percent over the same period last year. Cuba was the new market for the city. During the first three months, the export volume to Cuba reached US$2.81 million.

    Experts predict that the earthquake in Japan might bring more opportunities to the city’s car parts manufacturers.

    (Wang Yuanyuan, Shen Junlin)