Imports down, exports up

Total imports between January and November last year dropped by Lm6.4 million to Lm1,126 million when compared with the same period in 2001, the National Statistics Office said.

In the same period last year, total exports were up by Lm13.5 million to Lm829.7 million from Lm816.2 million the previous year, it added.

Imports of industrial supplies dropped by Lm21.7 million to Lm572.4 million from Lm594.1 million the year before.

Imports of capital goods were down by Lm3.2 million over the previous year to Lm184.3 million.

At the same time, the importation of consumer goods increased by Lm14.6 million to Lm273.7 million from Lm259.1 million the year before. Fuel imports were up by Lm3.9 million to Lm95.6 million from Lm91.7 million the year before.

While domestic exports were down by Lm20.9 million to Lm710.6 million, re-exports were up by Lm34.4 million to Lm119.1 million.

In the 11-month period to November last year, the merchandise trade gap contracted by Lm19.9 million to Lm296.3 million from Lm316.2 million in the previous year.

In November last year, total imports increased by Lm5.5 million to Lm110.8 million from Lm105.3 million the previous year.

During that month, total exports dropped by Lm4.1 million to Lm76.4 million from Lm80.5 million the previous year.

The importation of industrial supplies was up by Lm600,000 to Lm53.7 million.

Imports of capital goods dropped by Lm800,000 to Lm16.2 million.

The NSO said that at Lm27 million, the importation of consumer goods increased by Lm800,000 in the same period the previous year.

Fuel imports rose by Lm4.9 million to Lm13.9 million from Lm9 million the year before.

While domestic exports declined by Lm4.5 million, re-exports increased by Lm400,000 to Lm10.8 million.