Biz scene: LOCAL
Yunnan's exports bloom
The flower industry in Yunnan hit a record $10.45 million in exports from January to November 2006.
Japan remains the largest importer of flowers from the province, with an import volume of $2.75 million last year. It is closely followed by Hong Kong, the fastest growing flower importer, with a volume of $2.7 million, nearly tripling its purchases over the previous year.
Floral exports to the ASEAN market nearly doubled to $3.62 million. Singapore and Thailand are the main importers among the Southeast Asian countries.
Exports of flowers from Yunnan have been steadily increasing as quality improves and marketing infrastructure matures.
Yangtze to be shipshape
China will invest 15 billion yuan to expand shipping services on the Yangtze River, the country's longest waterway.
The funds will be used to construct ports and standardize ships, said Jin Yihua, director of the Administration for Yangtze River Shipping Affairs, an affiliate of the Ministry of Communications.
As much as 1.3 billion tons of cargo could be moved on the waterway by 2010. Ports on the Yangtze River handled 780 million tons of cargo last year, up 19.4 percent from the previous year.
Some 80 percent of China's inland river shipping services are carried over the Yangtze River and its tributaries.
(China Daily 01/16/2007 page15)
