REGIONAL> Development
Xiamen sees first economic growth this year
By u Meidong and Ding Xueping (China Daily Fujian Bureau)
Updated: 2009-07-15 17:36

The latest data reveals Xiamen’s economy is gradually improving, with signs of recovery in industry, foreign trade and other sectors.

According to the economic analysis report issued on July 13 for the first half of 2009,, Xiamen’s GDP rose by 0.6%. It was the first increase this year, up by 7.1% compared with -6.5% performed in the first quarter. Secondary industry slowed to 7.8% from 14.9% in the first quarter, narrowing to 7.1 percentage points, but tertiary industry growth rose to 13% from 5.5%, up by 7.5 percentage points.

The general financial revenue growth also made positive gains. Export-import volume totaled $19.53 million, exceeding the average level of Fujian province and the whole country in spite of a drop of 13.1% over the same period last year.

With improvements in real estate sales and employment as well, Xiamen’s economy is expected to make a turn for the better in the second half of the year.