GCC petrochemical exports to China rose to 13.5 millon tonnes per annum in 2014, despite the slowdown of the Chinese economy, a report said.

The exports were valued at $15.4 billion, according to data from the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, added the Pipeline Magazine report.

The volume of exports are up 5 per cent compared to 2013, while revenues also increased by 5 per cent, said the report.

Of the total export volume 65 per cent consisted of basic, intermediate and chemicals exports; while polymers made up 33 per cent and fertilisers 1 per cent.

Saudi Arabia is responsible for 64 per cent of the export volume to China; valued at almost $10 billion.

The UAE is the GCC’s second largest exporter to China, responsible for 11 per cent of the total volume; valued at almost $2 billion, followed by Kuwait, responsible for 10 per cent of total exports, valued at about $1.6 billion, added the report.