Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for June 2013 amounted to MOP758 million, up by 16% year-on-year, attributable to a 32% increase in re-exports (MOP594 million), but domestic exports (MOP164 million) decreased by 18%. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.63 billion, up by 16% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.87 billion for June 2013. In the second quarter of 2013, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.27 billion) and merchandise import (MOP20.08 billion) increased by 15% and 16% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP17.81 billion. In the first half year of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP4.61 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP3.60 billion) increased by 30%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.01 billion) decreased by 14%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 13% to MOP38.81 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP34.20 billion for the first half year of 2013. From January to June 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.55 billion) and Mainland China (MOP779 million) increased by 29% and 24% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP181 million) and the EU (MOP146 million) decreased by 31% and 17% respectively. In additon, exports of Non-textiles (MOP4.18 billion) expanded by 23% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP449 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP358 million) surged by 91% and 130% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP435 million) decreased by 21%, of which export of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP142 million) declined by 38%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP12.68 billion) and the EU (MOP9.03 billion) increased by 15% and 13% respectively year-on-year in the first half year of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 18% to MOP24.76 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP4.12 billion), Watches (MOP2.91 billion), Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP1.15 billion) and Footwear (MOP774 million) increasing by 18%, 19%, 55% and 16% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP43.42 billion in the first half year of 2013, up by 13% compared with MOP38.29 billion a year earlier.
