South Korean exports rise 50 per cent

Business Asia, April, 2004

If proof were needed that Asia's economies are on a roll then take a look at South Korea whose exports have risen a mighty 49.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.07 billion this month, despite political instability in the region, a shortage of raw materials and high oil prices. Imports have risen too, though by nothing like the same amount, up 12.6 per cent year-on-year and due in the main to increased demand for semiconductors used in digital TVs and mobile phones--two booming areas of consumer demand.

South Korea's trade deficit for the first 17 days of March narrowed to $159.6 million.