SEOUL (XINHUA) – South Korea’s exports rose 4.5 per cent year-on-year in the first 20 days of March due to solid demand for locally-made semiconductors and ships, customs office data showed.
Export revenue increased to USD35.54 billion in the March 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.
Semiconductor exports spiked 11.6 per cent to USD7.07 billion in the cited period, and automotive shipments grew 3.7 per cent to USD3.3 billion.
Ship exports jumped 80.3 per cent to USD2.23 billion, but those for steel, oil products and home appliances dived in double digits.
Import fell 1.4 per cent to USD34.39 billion in the period, sending the trade surplus to USD1.15 billion.
Import for crude oil, coal and oil products dipped in double digits, but those for natural gas, cars and semiconductor equipment increased in double figures.
