Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for May 2013 amounted to MOP795 million, up by 17% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP582 million) and domestic exports (MOP212 million) increased by 25% and 1% respectively. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.91 billion, up by 17% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.12 billion for May 2013. In the first five months of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP3.86 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP3.01 billion) increased by 30%, but that of domestic exports (MOP846 million) decreased by 14%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 13% to MOP32.26 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP28.40 billion for the first five months of 2013. From January to May 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.16 billion) and Mainland China (MOP620 million) increased by 31% and 17% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP156 million) and the EU (MOP120 million) decreased by 29% and 15% respectively. In additon, exports of Non-textiles (MOP3.48 billion) expanded by 23% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP362 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP322 million) surged by 92% and 117% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP382 million) decreased by 18%, of which export of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP126 million) declined by 35%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP10.48 billion) and the EU (MOP7.65 billion) increased by 13% and 15% respectively year-on-year in the first five months of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 16% to MOP20.39 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP3.26 billion), Watches (MOP2.33 billion), Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP937 million) and Footwear (MOP656 million) increasing by 16%, 17%, 50% and 15% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP36.12 billion in the first five months of 2013, up by 13% compared with MOP31.94 billion a year earlier.
