Industrial robot output rose nearly 50 percent, investment in high‑tech services grew by more than a quarter, and private‑sector firms accounted for over half of total import‑export volume… On August 20, reporters learned from the provincial statistics bureau that so far this year the province's economic activity has continued on an overall steady track, with positive forces supporting higher‑quality growth steadily accumulating.

Data show that from January to July, industrial value added for enterprises above the designated size in the province increased 8.5 percent year‑on‑year, reflecting rapid industrial production growth. By sector, value added in mining rose 0.6 percent, and manufacturing climbed 10.3 percent. Value added in equipment manufacturing grew 16.9 percent, with computer, communications and other electronic equipment manufacturing up 31.1 percent; high‑tech manufacturing rose 25.3 percent. By product, industrial robot output increased 46.4 percent, notebook computer production rose 22.7 percent, and lithium‑ion battery output grew 15.4 percent. In July alone, industrial value added for enterprises above the designated size rose 9.0 percent year‑on‑year.

From January to July, market sales continued to recover, with online consumption rising rapidly. Retail sales of consumer goods across the province totaled CNY 1,393.21 billion, up 5.2 percent year‑on‑year. Retail sales above the designated size increased 5.5 percent. Retail sales made through public networks by wholesale and retail enterprises above the designated size rose 22.1 percent. In July, retail sales of consumer goods were up 3.0 percent year‑on‑year.

In fixed‑asset investment, infrastructure spending remained on the rise. Investment in high‑tech services rose 25.3 percent, with information services investment up 78.2 percent, professional technical services up 18.2 percent, and R&D and design services investment soaring 85.7 percent. Green energy investment recorded substantial gains, with hydropower and solar power investment rising 113.8 percent and 84.6 percent, respectively.

At the same time, the province’s foreign trade continued to expand and the share of private firms increased. From January to July, total import‑export value reached CNY 543.41 billion, up 14.1 percent year‑on‑year, with exports of CNY 364.73 billion (up 13.8 percent) and imports of CNY 178.68 billion (up 14.8 percent). Trade with the EU grew 17.3 percent, with ASEAN grew 35.7 percent, and with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew 14.6 percent. Imports and exports by private enterprises rose 16.7 percent, accounting for 51.7 percent of total trade — a 1.1 percentage‑point increase year‑on‑year. In July, total trade rose 8.5 percent year‑on‑year, with exports up 5.6 percent and imports up 14.5 percent.

Source: Hefei Evening News