Higher cost leads to lower export competitiveness

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) Cui, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, said today that the 7.31 billion dollar trade deficit that occurred in February was mainly due to the continued rise in import prices. Import prices rose by about 16% in February. In addition, the Spring Festival and other holiday factors to export also caused a certain impact. ' We note that in addition to Guangdong Province, several coastal provinces and cities in the February exports, especially labour-intensive exports, have declined, ' he said.　　The reason, both foreign demand contraction factors, but also the impact of rising domestic costs, including rising labor costs, cotton and other means of production costs, and so on, resulting in a decline in export competitiveness. Yao said that in the future, we will further enhance the quality and value-added of export products, enhance the brand and reputation of Chinese products, and pay more attention to the adjustment of export structure. Throughout the year, China's exports will maintain a more stable growth posture, while further promoting trade balance.