Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for December 2013 amounted to MOP920 million, up by 35% year-on-year; value of domestic exports (MOP189 million) edged down by 1%, but that of re-exports (MOP731 million) rose by 49%. Total merchandise import reached MOP 8.15 billion, up by 23% year-on-year, of which imports of Gold jewellery and Watches surged by 95% and 78% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP7.23 billion for December 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.36 billion) and merchandise import (MOP22.66 billion) increased by 18% and 20% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP20.29 billion. For the whole year of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 11% year-on-year to MOP9.09 billion; value of domestic exports (MOP2.01 billion) shrank by 12% year-on-year, whereas value of re-exports (MOP7.08 billion) increased by 21%, with its share in total merchandise export rising to 78%. Domestic demand and visitor spending expanded, bringing the total value of merchandise import up by 14% year-on-year to a record high of MOP81.01 billion. Merchandise trade deficit was MOP71.92 billion in 2013. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP4.86 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.61 billion) in 2013 increased by 19% and 17% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP365 million) and the EU (MOP281 million) decreased by 28% and 11% respectively. In addition, exports of Non-textiles (MOP8.25 billion) in 2013 expanded by 16% year-on-year, of which exports of Electronic components (MOP962 million) and Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP510 million) surged by 53% and 155% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP847 million) decreased by 20%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP293 million) declined by 29%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP26.41 billion) and the EU (MOP18.79 billion) in 2013 increased by 14% and 13% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 19% to MOP51.65 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP9.67 billion), Watches (MOP6.50 billion) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP2.68 billion) increasing by 31%, 26% and 66% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP90.11 billion in 2013, up by 14% compared with MOP79.09 billion in 2012.
