LHASA - Tibet's foreign trade continued to see robust growth this year as the government stepped up efforts to improve infrastructure in inland port cities and the efficiency of customs clearance, local authorities said.

The region's foreign trade volume is expected to top $1 billion in 2011, up 31.6 percent from last year, according to this week's regional economic work conference.

The double-digit growth was the fastest among Chinese provinces and regions, Ma Xiangcun, head of the region's commerce department, told China News Service earlier this week.

The government offered more support to export-oriented cities, foreign trade companies and export products this year, Ma said.

Border trade played a major role in Tibet's foreign trade, accounting for 60 percent of the total volume, said Ma.

Nepal is Tibet's top trade partner. Last year, bilateral trade between Tibet and Nepal stood at $542 million, up 65 percent over the previous year.

Tibet mainly exports sheep, wool, Tibetan carpets and Chinese caterpillar fungus - a valuable ingredient in traditional medicines that is believed to boost the immune system.