Figures released by the Statistics and Census Services also show that the region imported 9.61 billion patacas (US$1.2 billion) of commodities in the six-month period, up 13.2 percent.

Macao reports an 86 million-patacas (US$10.75 million) trade surplus in June following four consecutive months of trade deficits.

The exports of textile products and garments account for 81 percent of the total, and the United States and the European Union remain Macao's major export markets by receiving 73 percent of Macao's total export goods in the first half of this year, the source said.

Macao's imports were mainly from China's inland, Hong Kong and Asian countries and regions.

In the six-month period, the imports of capital goods, consumption goods and fuel and lubricating oil went up 62.3 percent, 26.6 percent and 20.9 percent, respectively, the Statistics and Census Services said.

Macao's economy grew by 4.6 percent in the year 2000 after four consecutive years of negative increases. The authorities predict that it will keep growing this year, though at a slower rate.

(People's Daily 08/13/2001)