Yunnan's imports and exports to ASEAN countries has hit a record high of $5.37 billion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months, up 34.6 percent year on year, according to statistics from the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Thursday.

Trade with ASEAN countries fueled 44.1 percent of the province’s total foreign trade. The exports to ASEAN countries rose 24.4 percent year on year to $3.23 billion, while imports increased 53.5 percent from a year earlier to $2.14 billion.

Since the Kunming-Bangkok Highway was opened in2008, Yunnan's trade with Thailand grew rapidly as a bright spot. From January to November this year, the province’s trade with Thailand rose 68.7 percent year on year to $680 million. Fresh vegetables became the largest fueler of the export, with a total of $140 million. The natural rubber imports from Thailand reached $200 million, becoming the largest contributor for the imports.

Moreover, the trade with Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia surged 18.9 percent, 37 percent and 63.4 percent respectively year on year to $1.83 billion, $1.13 billion and $820 million.

In addition, Yunnan’s trade with South Asian countries broke the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2011 (1-11 months), accounting for 7 percent of the total imports and exports in Yunnan.

India became Yunnan’s largest trading partner in South Asia, fueling more than half of the total trade with South Asia countries.
Trade volume between Yunnan and Bangladesh rose 35.6 percent year on year to $140 million, while the trade with Sri Lanka increased 38.6 from a year earlier to $60 million.