Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for January 2014 amounted to MOP996 million, down by 1% year-on-year; value of domestic exports (MOP168 million) decreased by 7% while that of re-exports (MOP828 million) held stable as in January 2013. Total merchandise import grew by 25% year-on-year to MOP8.82 billion. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP7.82 billion for January 2014.

Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Mainland China (MOP130 million) and the EU (MOP35 million) in January 2014 increased by 6% and 5% respectively year-on-year, while export to Hong Kong (MOP629 million) and the USA (MOP35 million) decreased by 5% and 18% respectively.

In addition, exports of Non-textiles (MOP908 million) were similar to that in January 2013, of which exports of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP173 million) increased by 39% year-on-year, but that of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP159 million) and Electronic components (MOP56 million) both declined by 11%. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP87 million) decreased by 13%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP30 million) fell by 28%.

By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP2.94 billion) and the EU (MOP2.03 billion) increased by 21% and 14% respectively year-on-year in January 2014. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 31% to MOP5.78 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP1.53 billion), Watches (MOP802 million) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP262 million) soaring by 139%, 124% and 60% respectively.

External merchandise trade reached MOP9.81 billion in January 2014, up by 22% compared with MOP8.06 billion a year earlier.