Semiconductor demand drives SKorea exports up 50.4 pc in March

SEOUL: South Korea's exports grew in double digits in the first 20 days of March owing to soaring demand for locally made semiconductors, customs office data showed on Monday.

Outbound shipments jumped 50.4% from a year earlier to $53.30 billion in the March 1–20 period, according to the Korea Customs Service. Semiconductor exports more than doubled to $18.66 billion, and automotive shipments mounted 11.1% to $3.66 billion.

Exports of oil products, steel products, mobile devices and home appliances swelled in double figures, and shipments of computers surged in triple digits.

Imports gained 19.7% from a year earlier to $41.17 billion in the first 20 days of March, sending the trade surplus to $12.13 billion. Imports of crude oil, coal, chips, semiconductor equipment, precision machinery and mobile devices posted double‑digit growth in the cited period.

By RSS/Xinhua