HEFEI, Oct. 20 -- The total import and export of goods in east China's Anhui Province grew 6.1 percent year on year to 596.02 billion yuan (about 83 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of 2023, local authorities said Friday.

The province's exports climbed 12.1 percent year on year to 391.21 billion yuan, while its imports stood at 204.81 billion yuan, down 3.7 percent year on year in the January-September period, according to Hefei Customs.

Private enterprises have become an important accelerator for the province's foreign trade growth. During the period, the import and export volume of private enterprises reached 304.79 billion yuan, accounting for 51.1 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume.

Trade between Anhui and Belt and Road Initiative partner countries soared to 305.65 billion yuan in the three quarters, up 20.6 percent year on year, accounting for 51.3 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume.