The trade of south China's Guangdong Province with ASEAN members totaled US$39.8 billion in the first 11 months of this year, a growth of 20.8 percent over the year earlier level.

 

According to local customs sources, the total included US$26.9 billion in import value, up 17.7 percent, and US$13.2 billion in export value, up 27.7 percent.

 

The trade deficit increased by 9.4 percent to US$13.5 billion.

 

Of the total trade volume, foreign-funded enterprises made up US$24.7 billion, or 62 percent, up 17.6 percent.

 

Between January and November, Guangdong's trade in new- and high-tech products with ASEAN members amounted to US$19.8 billion, or 49.7 percent of the total, up 21.5 percent. The trade deficit in such goods stood at US$10.1 billion, or 74.3 percent of the total deficit.

 

Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand were the top trade partners of Guangdong, said the local customs sources.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2006)