Sri Lanka exports up 6.3-pct, imports down 6.2-pct in 2013

Feb 10, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's exports rose 6.2 percent to 10.38 billion US dollars in 2013 from a year earlier and imports fell 6.2 percent to 17.99 billion US dollars, the Central Bank said. In December 2013 exports rose 13.

2 percent from a year earlier to 986.

1 million US dollars with industrial products up 15.2 percent to 741.2 million US dollars, continuing trend seen in the last quarter amid a recovery in development markets.

Apparel rose 26.9 percent to 453.9 million US dollars, rubber products rose 22.

4 percent to 93.9 million US dollars.

Agricultural products rose 11.4 percent to 242.1 million US dollars with tea rising 7.3 percent to 148.4 million US dollars. The central bank said higher prices helped tea, though volumes fell.

Imports in December rose 2.1 percent to 1,551.1 million US dollars with consumer goods up 25.8 percent to 302.2 million US dollars. Intermediate goods rose 6.7 percent to 936.3 million US dollars with textile falling 10.2 percent to 174.1 million US dollars.

Investment goods imports fell 22.5 percent to 165.1 million US dollars with transport equipment falling 35.4 percent to 37.5 million US dollars and building materials falling 11.3 percen