| The Xinjiang Economy |
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Primary components of Xinjiang's economy: fruit and produce (particularly melons and grapes), cotton, wheat, silk, walnuts, and sheep. Xinjiang also contains large deposits of minerals and oil.
As a result of the implementation of the China Western Development policy (adopted to boost economic development in western China), Xinjiang's nominal GDP was approximately 187 RMB (23 billion USD) in 2003 and then increased to 220 billion RMB in 2004. In Aksu and Karamay, the oil and gas extraction industry is increasing steadily; its pipeline project connecting to Shanghai has only helped. Xinjiang's exports amounted to 3.047 billion USD, while its imports totaled 2.589 billion USD in 2004. The majority of the exports and imports in Xinjiang are directed to and from Kazakhstan through the Ala Pass. In March 2006, Xinjiang opened its second border trade market to Kazakhstan, known as the Jeminay Border Trade Zone.
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