Shanxi's total import-export value was 24.03 billion yuan ($3.88 billion) in the first quarter, increasing 31.3 percent over the same quarter last year, according to Taiyuan customs.

In the first quarter, the province's import and export growth ranked third in China, while the total value was at 23rd place.

Shanxi?saw huge growth in processing trade, but general trade continued to decline. Foreign-invested enterprises grew rapidly in this period.

Imports of machinery and electronic products, iron alloys and copper ore sand increased substantially; but less iron ore sand has been imported in the first quarter.

In the first three months, the export of mobile phones and steel materials pulled ahead of other exports. 4.16 million mobile phones were exported with a value of 5.93 billion yuan; while steel exports increased 11.6 percent to 356,000 tons worth 3.06 billion yuan.