S. Korea’s export logs double-digit growth in 10 days of September

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) — South Korea’s export logged a double-digit growth in the first 10 days of this month due to strong demand for locally-made semiconductors and automobiles, customs office data showed Wednesday.
Export amounted to 18.58 billion U.S. dollars in the September 1-10 period, up 24.6 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service.
The daily average export increased 16.3 percent in the 10-day period. The monthly outbound shipment kept growing for the 11th straight month through August.
Semiconductor export spiked 38.8 percent to 3.47 billion dollars, and automotive shipment jumped 12.8 percent to 1.58 billion dollars.
Shipment for steel, auto parts, precision machinery, computers and home appliances gained in double digits in the cited period.
Import advanced 11.3 percent from a year earlier to 18.36 billion dollars in the first 10 days of September, sending the trade surplus to 222 million dollars.
Import for crude oil, natural gas, oil products and mobile devices declined in double figures, but those for machinery, chips, semiconductor equipment and precision machinery climbed in double digits. ■