The coastal province of Shandong in east China exported about six billion US dollars worth of textile products and garments in 2002, up 12 percent over the previous year, official figures show.
    Foreign trade officials with Shandong provincial government attributed the fast growth to improvements in the quality of export products, better marketing, and diversification by producers.
    Experts said China's entry into the World Trade Organization would benefit China's producers and exporters of textiles and garments, but exports from Shandong dropped in early 2002 owing to sluggish international market, sharp fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and increased trade barriers.
    The province launched vigorous sales promotion campaigns overseas, involving Russia, Nigeria, India and the United Arab Emirates and central and south America.
    Shandong also encouraged its textile and garment companies to invest overseas.
    Textiles and garments have been the most important export items for the province, one of the major economic giants in China