Provisional figures show that EPZ exports during the 2nd quarter of 2005 amounted to Rs. 7,701 million bringing the total for the 1st semester to Rs 14,247 million. Compared to the corresponding semester of 2004, this represents a decrease of Rs. 1,628 million or 10.3 percent.
Exports of manufactured articles of apparel and clothing declined by Rs. 2,090 million during the first semester of 2005 compared to the corresponding period of 2004. The effect of this significant decrease was partially offset by increases in some other product groups of which “Fish and fish preparations” (+Rs. 332 million), “Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones” (+Rs. 156 million) and “Jewellery, goldsmiths and silversmiths wares” (+Rs. 59 million).
The United Kingdom, the United States of America and France remain our principal EPZ markets, accounting for Rs. 10,250 million or around 72 percent of total exports. Compared to the corresponding semester of 2004, decreases in exports were noted in all these markets, with reductions of Rs. 844 million (-24.2 percent) to the United States of America, Rs. 430 million (-12.1 percent) to France and Rs. 64 million (-1.4 percent) to United Kingdom. Exports to the Malagasy Republic increased by 2.5 percent from Rs. 358 million to Rs. 367 million while a drop of Rs. 23 million (-10.4 percent) towards the Republic of South Africa was noted.
EPZ imports for the 1st semester of 2005 amounted to Rs. 7,922 million compared to Rs. 8,736 million for the corresponding period of 2004, representing a decrease of 9.3 percent. The bill for raw materials decreased by Rs. 455 million (-6.3 percent) from Rs. 7,206 million to Rs. 6,751 million and that for machinery and equipment by Rs. 359 million (-23.5 percent) from Rs. 1,530 million to Rs. 1,171 million.
Net exports, i.e. exports minus imports, amounted to Rs. 6,325 million and its ratio to exports works out to around 44 percent.
The Central Statistics Office of Mauritius is the official organisation responsible for collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of all official statistical data relating to the economic and social activities of the country.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) of Mauritius
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