The Suzhou Export Processing Zone handled trade worth US$10.4 billion in 2006, a year-on-year rise of 85 per cent, Xinhua reports quoting statistics released by the customs authority in Suzhou.

Of the total, imports and exports accounted for slightly more $6 billion, while transactions between companies in the zone and those outside were valued at $4.3 billion.

The report said imports and exports in the Suzhou Export Processing Zone have recorded rapid growth since its inception six years ago.