URUMQI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Import trade in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region grew robustly by 49.1 percent in the first five months of this year, according to local customs authorities.

The region's import trade volume reached 13.8 billion yuan (about 2 billion U.S. dollars) from January to May, Urumqi customs said.

Exports grew marginally by 1.4 percent to reach 38.5 billion yuan, it said.

The total value of imports and exports in the period is 52.3 billion yuan, up 10.8 percent, the customs said. Private companies played important roles in the trade.

Neighboring Kazakhstan remains the largest trading partner of the region. Trade between Xinjiang and the country made up 45 percent of the total trade volume, the authorities said.