March exports grow 43.7%, highest since 1991

MERCHANDISE exports rose 43.7% in March as demand from the country’s main markets continued to recover along with the global economy.

Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that the country’s export earnings for the third month of 2010 rose to $4.18 billion from the year-ago level of $2.9 billion. On a monthly basis, exports rose 17% from $3.57 billion in February. Overall, exports jumped 42.9 % in the first quarter.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Augusto Santos said this is the highest year-on-year increase since the National Statistics Office started compiling monthly exports statistics in 1991.

Shipments of electronics, which dominate exports and are largely assembled from imported parts, climbed 49.1% year-on-year to $2.42 billion in March after a 53.3% jump in February.

The Philippines expects exports to grow 12% and imports to rise 18% in 2010. In 2009, exports fell 21.9%, not as sharp as the government’s forecast drop of 25%.

The main electronics industry group expects shipments to grow 20% or more this year on strong demand from China and India.

The government may consider raising its 2.6%-3.6% economic growth target for 2010 amid a slew of strong indicators this year. (PIA-Bohol)

February exports rise for four straight months

Philippines’ exports grew for the fourth straight month in February driven by increased demand for the country’s electronic goods.

Exports grew 42.3% year-on-year after a 42.5% rise in the previous month, the National Statistics Office said Tuesday. Economists were looking for a 39.9% increase. Export earnings in February jumped to $3.567 billion from $2.506 billion in the previous year.

However, on a monthly basis, export revenue dropped 0.4% in February. In January, revenue rose 8.1% on a monthly basis.

Electronic products with a revenue share of 58.1% topped the list of exported goods in the country by earning a total revenue of $2.072 billion during the month. Export earnings of electronic goods grew 53.4% year-on-year after 51.2% in January. On a monthly basis, export earnings from electronic goods rose 1.9%, following the 8.1% growth in the previous month.

Semiconductors, accounting for 42.3% of the total export earnings, earned an export revenue of $1.508 billion, up 59.6% compared from the previous period.

Japan emerged as the top export destination for the country, comprising 17.6% share of total exports. Total export earnings from Japan increased 55.4% annually to $627.04 million in February. Exports to the U.S. accounted for 16.9% of the total exports and the revenue stood at $603.83 million. The export value increased 29.5% year-on-year, making it the second largest market for Philippine goods. (PIA-Bohol)

PGMA misalig mauli-an na ang Ekonomiya sa Pilipinas sa `09

MISALIG si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nga ang ekonomiya sa Pilipinas ma-ulian na sumala sa una na nga gitagna alang sa sunod tuig.

Kini, matud pa, subay sa lig-on nga haligi sa macro-economics, nga napundar na sukad pa niadtong 2001 aron sagubangon ang mga hulga nga dala sa global nga ekonomiya.

Niini, bisan pa sa epekto sa pagkapalyar sa ekonomiya sa Estado Uidos, ang posiyon sa Pilipinas isip nakapangandam na nga daan, wala motibugsok sama sa nasinati sa ubang nasud.

Sa pagpundo alang sa imprastraktura, sama sa mga tulay, tugpahanan, pantalan, telekomunikasyon, napalig-on usab sa nasud ang ekonomiya nga kaya mosagubang sa pagkatay-og.

Hinuon, kamolo pa ang mga lider sa pagpagamay sa epekto sa inflation, nga miabot gayud ug sa paghimog panalipod sa mga pundok ug sector nga apektado.

Dugang pa, gisaad sa Presidente nga maghimo pag daghang kapanarbahoan, tul-iron ang pamuhis ug mangaghat pag mamumuhunan alang sa nasud. (PIA/rachiu)