Exports up 12.1 percent in April

June 9, 2017

Total trade in April grew  to $11.7 billion with a 12.1 percent growth in exports offsetting a 0.1 percent in imports, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Friday.. “For exports, East Asia and the EU remain the top destinations of our products, accounting for 62.3 percent of total export receipts,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. Exports to EU and East Asia grew by 36 percent and 10 percent in April, respectively. “Despite global uncertainties, we remain upbeat that the country will sustain the strong performance of export and trade growth recorded in the first quarter,” Pernia said. Exports to Hong Kong (36.8 percent), China (26.4 percent), South Korea (18.9 percent), and Taiwan (26.4 percent) posted double-digit growth while exports to Japan fell (-16.6 percent). Pernia recognized positive contributions of trade connections and cited China as an example, where merchandise exports increased by 27.7 percent from October 2016 to April 2017 compared with the 7.1 percent decline from January to September 2016. “Also worth noting is the tripling of exports to the UAE and India in April. This was the third month that receipts to UAE tripled, and the second month for India,” he added. Exports to UAE and India grew by 286.4 percent and 204.1 percent, respectively. “We see an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties with India as it becomes a major player in the global economy. Their large consumer base can be an important market for Philippine products,” he added. DMS