ID :
12282
Sat, 07/12/2008 - 02:05
Auther :

China's coal export surge in June

Beijing, Jul 11 (PTI) China's coal exports soared 83.5 percent at 6.99 million tonnes in June over the same period a year earlier, the highest monthly record since March 2005, thecustoms administration said.

Rising exports would however exacerbate shortages at coal-fired power plants striving to ensure electricity for Olympics and reconstruction work in the May 12 quake-devastated areas in southwest China, state-run Xinhuanews agency said quoting analysts.

China, the world's biggest coal producer, is heavily dependent on coal for its power plants to meet its voraciousenergy demands.

The country exported 25.49 million tones in the first half of 2008, a 10.2 percent jump year on year, the GeneralAdministration of Customs said.

Analysts also said the surge in exports reflected a widening gap between higher world prices and government-cappeddomestic prices.

The gap was about USD 54.70 per tonne in the weekended on July 4, Xinhua said quoting the China Business News.


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