The Ministry of Knowledge Economy has released its trade figures for the month of August. The trade surplus reached $2.08 billion. On the back of the global economic recovery and robust outbound shipments of most export items, exports rose 29.6 percent from a year ago to $37.53 billion. Exports to key trading partners increased during the first 20 days of August, especially to the United States, Japan and the Middle East. Oceania was a notable exception.

Meanwhile, imports gained 29.3 percent to record $35.45 billion. Inbound shipments of raw materials went up 34 percent while imports of capital and consumer goods surged 37.7 percent and 61.6 percent, respectively.

* Released by the Export and Import Division

[Source: The Ministry of Knowledge Economy]