From January to April, the total value of processing trade imports and exports in Tai'an reached 245 million yuan. [Photo by Chen Yang/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to statistics from Tai'an Customs, from January to April, the total value of processing trade imports and exports in the city reached 245 million yuan ($34.03 million), marking a 22.6-percent year-on-year increase and setting a record high for the same period.

The city's distinctive industries have demonstrated outstanding performance.

In the first quarter, the pharmaceutical industry's imports and exports totaled 79.27 million yuan, a 48-percent increase and accounting for 32.1 percent of the city's total processing trade imports and exports.

The textile and garment industry played a pivotal role, with imports and exports totaling 124 million yuan, representing 50 percent of the city's processing trade imports and exports. The plastic industry saw imports of 43.93 million yuan, a 20-percent increase, while the power transmission industry recorded imports and exports of 10.57 million yuan, a 27-percent rise.

Moreover, successful expansions into markets participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, were achieved. Local poultry enterprises exported 14 metric tons of goods worth 1.48 million yuan, marking their first entry into markets in Angola, Libya, and other African countries within the jurisdiction.