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The volume of international trade in Primorye climbed by 28 percent in 2007 earning $5.8 billion, the regional administration reported.

According to the statement, exports from Primorye have grown by 8 percent while imports have seen a hike of 38 percent.

The rise of imports is explained by increased volumes of imported vehicles, equipment and machinery which grew by 42 percent in 2007. Imports of textiles and footwear went up 1.7 times. Food imports have grown considerably as well, the statement said. Exports are dominated by oil and energy, timber and its products, fish and sea produce and minerals.

Primorye holds a 29-percent share of the international trade turnover in the Far Eastern region of Russia trading with 86 countries.

The traditional trade partners are China with 38 percent of the region’s trade turnover in 2007, Japan with 30 percent and South Korea with 14 percent. Trade with the United States accounted to 3 percent last year.