ONE-OFF: Overall customs-cleared exports grew, which one economist said would help confirm that a decline in June was an exception, not part of a contraction trend

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 08, 2018
By: Chen Cheng-hui  /  Staff reporter

The nation’s exports last month recorded a fifth consecutive month of annual growth, rising 4.7 percent year-on-year to US$28.36 billion, the Ministry of Finance reported yesterday.

The pace of annual growth was less than 9.4 percent in June because of a higher comparison base in July last year, a ministry report said.

Imports last month rose 20.5 percent year-on-year to US$26.12 billion, leaving a trade surplus of US$2.24 billion, it said.

Last month’s trade surplus narrowed from US$5.21 billion in June and was 58.5 percent lower than a year earlier, which the ministry attributed to greater imports of agricultural and industrial raw materials, capital equipment and consumer products, the report said    [FULL  STORY]