Shanghai Port in east China realized US$390.2 billion in foreign trade in the first 11 months of this year, a growth of 22.2 percent over the year-earlier level.

Local customs sources said the total included US$243.8 billion in export value, up 25.3 percent, and US$146.4 billion in import value, up 17.4 percent.

Of the total, US$250.2 billion, or 64.2 percent, was contributed by foreign-funded enterprises, up 24.2 percent, the sources added.

The private sector's foreign trade via Shanghai Port soared 44.4 percent to US$49.9 billion in the 11-month period.

Machines and electronics remained as major items in external trade via the port. Between January and November, Shanghai exported US$US139.5 billion worth of such products, up 27.1 percent, and imported US$93.9 billion worth, up 19.2 percent.

The United States and Japan continued to be Shanghai's top two trade partners.

In the Jan.-Nov. period, Shanghai sold US$59.2 billion worth of goods to the United States, up 28.2 percent, and bought US$28.1 billion worth from Japan, up 16.5 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2006)