Duty-free sales in Hainan Province surged to nearly 80 million yuan (USD11 million) on Saturday, the first day of the island’s newly revised offshore duty-free policy, representing a 6.1 percent increase from the previous day, China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday.

Haikou Customs data showed that shoppers spent 78.55 million yuan (USD10.8 million), purchasing 54,800 itemsacross 12,700 transactions on the policy’s debut.

Analysts said the new duty-free measures are expected to deliver broader benefits for both residents and touristswhile further boosting Hainan’s economic growth as the policy’s effects continue to take hold.