In the first 11 months of 2013, Qingdao processed imports and exports totaling US$41 billion, up 17.9 percent over the same period last year, according to figures released by the Qingdao Commerce Bureau. Imports accounted for US$22.2 billion, an 11 percent increase, while exports grew by 27.2 percent year on year.

The city’s processing trade slowed, dropping to US$19.5 billion, a 6.4 percent decline.

The value of imports and exports in the electromechanical and high-tech sector of Qingdao increased to US$19.5 billion (+2.6 percent) and US$5.2 billion (+21.2 percent), respectively.