November 15, 2007 -- According to Sichuan Department of Commerce the provinces total foreign trade reached US$11.53 billion in the first 10 months of 2007, which is a year on year increase of 29.4 percent, Sichuan Daily reports. Exports reached US$6.87 billion, with a year on year increase of 29.7 percent, while imports were at US$4.66 billion with a year on year increase of 28.9 percent.

These achievements were accomplished due to the significant change in China's foreign trade policy, acceleration of yuan appreciation, increase of trade barriers and increasing production cost, reported Sichuan Daily. The 18 cities and counties witnessed a steady rate of increase. Chengdu, Suining, Nanchong, Dazhou, Ya'an, Abazhou, Liangshan all saw an increase of more than 40 percent while Leshan, Neijiang, Luzhou, Meishan, Ziyang, Yibin saw an increase of more than 20 percent. Foreign trade in Zigong, Panzhihua, Guang'an, Bazhong and Ganzi remained constant.