The value of Yangquan city's foreign trade from January to October increased 38 percent year-on-year to 1.20 billion yuan ($168.59 million), ranking first in Shanxi province in terms of growth rate and surpassing its annual target two months ahead of schedule. 

Yangquan is currently home to 50 import and export enterprises, with eight new ones emerging this year. Among the newly established enterprises, six are export enterprises and two are import enterprises, mainly engaged in intelligent equipment manufacturing and new materials. 

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) remained the main driver of imports and exports. In the first three quarters, two SOEs in the city saw 50.43 million yuan in imports and exports, accounting for 48.62 percent of the city's total. Private enterprises, on the other hand, saw 31.24 million yuan in imports and exports, accounting for 33.84 percent of the city's total. The four foreign-invested enterprises accounted for 17.54 percent of all imports and exports with a value of 18.20 million yuan.

The city currently has trade relations with 73 countries and regions globally. It has export relations with 72 countries and regions and import relations with 12 countries and regions. 

The city's foreign trade is concentrated mainly in Africa, Asia, and Europe, accounting for 93.29 percent of its total imports and exports. Machinery and electrical products, resin grinding tools, and saccharin have become its main exports.