North China's Shanxi province's total imports and exports reached 174.38 billion yuan ($23.96 billion) in 2024, marking a 3.1-percent year-on-year increase, according to Taiyuan Customs on Jan 20. Specifically, exports rose by 1.5 percent, while imports surged by 5.8 percent.

The province saw a rise in the number of active trading entities, with 2,084 companies engaging in import and export activities, up by 3.7 percent from the previous year and a net increase of 75 companies.

In 2024, exports of the "new three products" (including lithium-ion batteries, solar products, and electric vehicles) amounted to 3.3 billion yuan, soaring by 199.4 percent and accounting for 3.1 percent of total exports. Steel exports reached 9.77 billion yuan, up by 22.7 percent and comprising 9.2 percent of total exports.

Looking at imports, various metal ores and sands, coal, soybeans, pulp, and cosmetics were significant growth contributors. In 2024, imports of metal ores and sands totaled 23.35 billion yuan, surging by 49 percent and representing 34.4 percent of the province's total imports.