Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for July 2013 amounted to MOP745 million, up by 16% year-on-year, attributable to a 33% increase in re-exports (MOP563 million), but domestic exports (MOP181 million) decreased by 16%. Total merchandise import reached MOP7.12 billion, up by 24% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.38 billion for July 2013. In the first seven months of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 16% year-on-year to MOP5.34 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP4.15 billion) increased by 30%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.19 billion) decreased by 14%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 14% to MOP45.69 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP40.35 billion for the first seven months of 2013. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.89 billion) and Mainland China (MOP961 million) in the first seven months of 2013 increased by 28% and 30% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP216 million) and the EU (MOP169 million) decreased by 29% and 20% respectively. In additon, exports of Non-textiles (MOP4.83 billion) expanded by 23% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP590 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP369 million) surged by 101% and 123% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP508 million) decreased by 22%, of which export of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP169 million) declined by 35%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP14.91 billion) and the EU (MOP10.55 billion) increased by 16% and 13% respectively year-on-year in the first seven months of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 20% to MOP29.27 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP5.31 billion), Watches (MOP3.44 billion), Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP1.37 billion) and Tobacco (MOP345 million) increasing by 30%, 20%, 63% and 31% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP51.03 billion in the first seven months of 2013, up by 14% compared with MOP44.66 billion a year earlier.
