Exports, imports decline

AMMAN — Total exports during the first four months of 2015 amounted to JD1.7 billion, 12.1 per cent less than the figure during the same period of 2014, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS).

Data showed a 13.7 per cent drop in domestic exports to JD1.5 billion, and a 2.2 per cent decline in re-exported items to JD262.3 million, compared to the same period of 2014. Imports, at JD4.5 billion, were lower by 14.3 per cent, a DoS statement indicated.

The trade deficit in the January-April of 2015, stood at JD2.8 billion, marking a 15.7 per cent drop compared to the same period of 2014.

Exports of clothes increased by 11.1 per cent, while the value of fertilisers, fruits and vegetables, and pharmaceutical exports dropped by 45, 37.1 and 19.7 per cent respectively, the statement pointed out.

Imports of machinery and spare parts increased by 18.5 per cent; vehicles, motorbikes and their spare parts went up by 12.3 per cent; and electronics and their spare parts rose by 3.4 per cent, while imports of crude oil and its derivatives, decreased by 44.1 per cent and iron went down by 16.6 per cent, the DoS concluded.