Core Insights - Shandong's foreign trade in the first three quarters reached 2.62 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 5.5%, surpassing the national average by 1.5 percentage points [2] - The province's exports and imports both exceeded 5% growth, achieving historical highs for the same period [2] - The number of enterprises engaged in import and export activities in Shandong increased to 73,000, with private enterprises contributing significantly to the growth [2][6] Trade Performance - Exports totaled 1.6 trillion yuan, growing by 5.3%, while imports reached 1.02 trillion yuan, increasing by 5.8% [2] - Shandong ranked fifth nationally in foreign trade, with exports maintaining growth for seven consecutive quarters and imports growing for three quarters [2] Structural and Market Developments - The province's foreign trade is characterized by an optimization of product structure and the rise of new driving forces, with high-end equipment exports becoming a highlight [3] - Exports of high-tech products to Belt and Road countries increased by 15.1%, with significant growth in electronic components, gaming machines, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries [3] Market Expansion - Shandong's trade with Belt and Road countries reached 1.68 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.2%, accounting for 64.2% of the province's total trade [4] - The province saw growth in trade with 128 Belt and Road countries, with notable increases in Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia [4] Business Environment and Private Sector - The efficient business environment and active market players contributed to the steady growth of foreign trade, with customs efficiency improvements significantly reducing clearance times [5] - Private enterprises emerged as a key driver of foreign trade growth, with substantial contributions to exports in various sectors, including integrated circuits and electric vehicles [6]