By EDU LOPEZ
The country’s merchandise imports grew by 2.3 percent to US$ 25.3 billion for the first six months of 2007 as the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that imports payments recovered to 3.8 percent in June after two months of negative growth.
The growth in imports for June was powered by the recovery of electronics products, raw materials and imported goods, as well as the continued strong demand for consumer goods, according to NEDA officer-in-charge Augusto B. Santos.
Imports of electronic products, comprising about 46.5 percent of the total import bill, increased by 8.4 percent as semiconductors recovered with 9.9 percent growth.
Likewise, raw materials and intermediate goods recovered to 18.0 percent with manufactured goods (12.4 percent) and materials/accessories for the manufacture of electrical equipment (28.6 percent) posting strong growth.
NSO said consumer goods imports rose by around 40.0 percent from last month’s 39.9 percent, maintaining its strong position.
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