Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
National exports rise by 11.5%
during the first quarter
AMMAN (JT) - The value of exports rose by11.5 per cent and the re-exports by 65
per cent during the first quarter of this year compared with the same period of
2007, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS).
In contrast, the value of imports has risen by 38.4 per cent during the first
quarter of 2008 and the deficit in the trade balance increased by 53.4 per cent
during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of last year,
making the imports coverage by exports stand at 40.8 per cent.
The country’s main exports during this period included pharmaceuticals, crude
phosphates, crude potash and fertilisers, while figures showed a decline in the
apparel and related accessories and vegetables.
Meanwhile, the DoS figures indicated a rise in the Kingdom’s imports of crude
oil, iron and its products, machinery and electrical appliances, vehicles and
motorcycles, while there was a decrease in the cereals import.
On trade with the main partners, the figures showed a rise in the national
exports to Asian countries, particularly India, the Greater Arab Trade Zone and
the European Union countries.
On the other hand, figures showed a decline in the national exports to North
America Free Trade Agreement countries, which was caused by a decrease in
exports to the US. On imports, figures showed a rise commodities imported from
the Grater Arab Trade Zone countries especially Saudi Arabia.