Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the value of total merchandise import for January 2010 registered an increase for the third consecutive month, up by 22.4% year-on-year to MOP3.52 billion. However, value of merchandise export decreased further by 19.0% year-on-year to MOP620 million, with the value of domestic exports falling by 51.4% to MOP213 million, but that of re-exports rising by 24.3% to MOP407 million. The trade deficit for January 2010 widened by 37.4% year-on-year to MOP2.90 billion.

Analyzed by destination of exports, value of merchandise export to Hong Kong increased by 28.4% year-on-year to MOP270 million in January 2010, while that to the USA (MOP83 million) and the EU (MOP43 million) decreased by 65.9% and 54.1% respectively. Exports of Textile & garment amounted to MOP151 million, down substantially by 61.2% year-on-year to account for 24.3% of the total merchandise export; however, value of Non-textile exports (MOP469 million) grew by 24.6%, with that of Jewellery and Articles for casino rising notably by 140.0% and 195.4% respectively.

Regarding the country of origin of imported goods, value of merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP1.02 billion) and the EU (MOP799 million) expanded by 20.7% and 13.1% respectively year-on-year in January 2010. In terms of Broad Economic Categories, the value of imports of Consumer goods rose by 45.8% year-on-year, with that of Motor cars & motorcycles growing significantly by 87.8%; nevertheless, the value of imports of Capital goods and Raw materials & semi-manufactures fell by 13.2% and 0.5% respectively.

Total value of merchandise import and export amounted to MOP4.14 billion in January 2010, up by 13.7% year-on-year.