Macau’s imports rose 151.9 percent to 73.97 billion patacas in the first half of the year, the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) announced yesterday.
According to a DSEC statement, mobile phone imports grew 838.8 percent to 10.2 billion patacas. Mobile phones accounted for 13.8 percent of total imports in the first six months.
Imports of beauty, cosmetic and skincare products rose 363.4 percent to 11.06 billion patacas – the number-one merchandise segment of Macau’s imports between January and June.
Most imports came from mainland China (33.6 percent), France (11.6 percent) and Italy (11.6 percent)
Total exports rose 34.8 percent to 6.7 billion patacas. Domestic exports accounted for 86.3 percent of all exports. Some 70.9 percent of Macau’s exports were shipped to Hong Kong and 12.4 percent to the Chinese mainland.
Macau’s merchandise trade balance deficit amounted to 67.2 billion patacas at the end of June.
The Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is a free port and separate customs territory. “Macau, China” is a founder member of the Geneva-based World Trade Organisation (WTO) and a member of the Brussels-based World Customs Organisation (WCO).
