Sri Lanka external trade expands in August

Oct 09, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's exports rose 7.9 percent, to 991.3 million US dollars in August 2014 from a year earlier with 85.

6 percent contribution of apparel exports, official data showed. Apparel exports grew 17.0 percent to 428.6 million US dollars in August 2014, the Central Bank said.

Exports of machinery and mechanical items had risen 17.

6 percent to 32.1 million US dollars and rubber products had risen 6.1 percent to 82.4 million US dollars.

Agricultural exports were down 3.

1 percent to 239.4 million US dollars with tea shrinked 2.



8 percent to 138.9 million US dollars. Spices export also were down 45.

5 percent to 24.1 million US dollars.

Imports grew 16.9 percent to 1,725 million US dollars with consumer goods up 23.

0 percent including 48.7 percent growth to 102.2 million dollars of motor cars.

Intermediate goods were up 21.1 percent to 1,061.5 million US dollars with fuel imports up 21.0 percent to 472 million US dollars.

Investment goods imports were slightly up by 1.

1 percent to 334 million US dollars with machinery and equipment down 1.2 percent to 170.4 percent while transport equipment also down 9.9 percent to 41.3 million US dollars and building materials