Brunei's exports in July rose 34.5 percent on month to 677.9 million Brunei dollars (495.6 million U.S. dollars), according to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics released by Brunei's Department of Economic Planning and Development(JPKE).

July's mineral fuels exports including crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports, recorded the highest contribution at 472.6 million Brunei dollars (345.5 million U.S. dollars) of total exports followed by chemicals at 168.7 million Brunei dollars (123.3 million U.S. dollars), The JPKE was quoted by local media as saying Sunday.

Most of Brunei's exports continued to go to Japan, which accounted for 26.1 percent of the country's export market, followed by Singapore with 24.3 percent, India with 10.6 percent and Australia with 8.6 percent.

Meanwhile, Brunei's imports of goods in July decreased by 22.9 percent monthly to 260.1 million Brunei dollars (190.1 million U.S. dollars).

More than 20 percent of Brunei's imports came from Malaysia, which was followed by China at 18.1 percent, Singapore at 16.1 percent and the United States at 8.1 percent.

The trade balance for the month of July was recorded at 417.8 million Brunei dollars (305.4 million U.S. dollars), up more than 150 percent from the previous month.

Source : XINHUA