Chongqing’s foreign trade volume went up 48.4 per cent year on year to 337.9 billion yuan in the first 7 months, new customs data showed on Wednesday.

Exports in July surged by 78.6 per cent from a year earlier to 145.6 billion yuan, while imports increased by 2.4 times to 58.1 billion yuan, Chongqing Customs said in a statement.

In the first seven months, total trade volume edged up by 2 per cent to 24 billion yuan, with exports up 3 per cent to 12.8 billion yuan and imports up 1 per cent to 11.2 billion yuan.

Total trade surplus in the first seven months surged by 20.9 per cent to 150.6 billion yuan, the statement said.