CHENGDU, Feb. 9 (NBD) -- Imports and exports value of Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, totalled 271.34 billion yuan (39.50 billion US dollars) in 2016, with an increase of 11% year-on-year, according to Chengdu Municipal Commission of Commerce. 

The growth is 11.9% and 8.2% higher, respectively, than the national and provincial figure of 2016. Imports value of Chengdu climbed by 31% year-on-year to reach 126.08 billion yuan (18.35 billion US dolllars), and the importing growth tops, for the first time, the rank among national sub-provincial cities.

Experts expressed that initiatives in progress, including the Belt and Road, China (Sichuan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, will add further impetus to international trade of Chengdu. 

Email: zengyunheng@nbd.com.cn