Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for March 2013 amounted to MOP755 million, up by 7% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP583 million) increased by 16%, but that of domestic exports (MOP172 million) decreased by 14%. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.21 billion, up by 5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.45 billion for March 2013.
In the first quarter of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 18% year-on-year to MOP2.34 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP1.88 billion) increased by 34%, but that of domestic exports (MOP459 million) decreased by 20%. Total value of merchandise import increased by 11% to MOP19.01 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first quarter of 2013 widened to MOP16.67 billion.
In the first quarter of 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.37 billion) and Mainland China (MOP327 million) increased by 34% and 15% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP106 million) and the EU (MOP67 million) decreased by 15% and 22% respectively.
Exports of Non-textiles (MOP2.13 billion) in the first quarter of 2013 expanded by 26% year-on-year, of which exports of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP255 million) and Clocks & watches (MOP202 million) surged by 90% and 122% respectively. Meanwhile, exports of Textiles & garments (MOP212 million) decreased by 26%, of which exports of Non-knitted or non-crocheted garments (MOP110 million) and Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP78 million) declined by 14% and 36% respectively.
In the first quarter of 2013, merchandise import originated in Mainland China (MOP6.22 billion) and the EU (MOP4.76 billion) increased by 16% and 17% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 15% to MOP12.03 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP1.95 billion), Watches (MOP1.36 billion), Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP828 million) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP493 million) increasing by 22%, 29%, 24% and 33% respectively.
External merchandise trade reached MOP21.35 billion in the first quarter of 2013, up by 12% compared with MOP19.05 billion a year earlier.
