MANILA, Philippines – Merchandise imports in September climbed 24.6% to $4.57 billion from a year earlier, marking the strongest growth in 4 months, the National Statistics Office said on Friday.
The September import growth was a reversal of the 25% contraction in the same month last year, and faster than the 23.1% annual growth in August.
Also, compared to August’s import bill of $4.45 billion, September was higher by 2.7%.
Imports of electronic parts, which accounted for 35.7% of the total import bill in September, were up an annual 23.8% to $1.63 billion over last year’s figure of $1.32 billion. These are inputs used by the semiconductor and electronics industry, the country’s biggest export sector and a major contributor to the economy.
The government expects imports to climb 20% this year and exports to increase 15%, with estimated growth for both revised upwards earlier this year.
Merchandise exports climbed 46.1% in September from a year ago after a 37% jump in August.
Apart from electronic parts and fuel, the Philippines’ other top imports were electrical and industrial machinery, transport equipment, iron, steel and metal scraps. –abs-cbnNEWS.com
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
#WearMask #WashHands
#Distancing
#TakePicturesVideos
