According to provisional figures just released by Statistics Netherlands, the value of goods exported from the Netherlands was 4 percent higher in September 2002 than in the same month last year, at just over 20 billion euro.
This was the first increase after thirteen months in a row of decreasing export value, and was partly caused by higher prices. Moreover, September 2002 had one working day more than September 2001. The value of imported goods was 2 percent lower at 17 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of just over 3 billion euro in September, the highest for a number years now.
Rise in imports from and exports to EU countries
The Netherlands exported nearly 16 billion euro worth of goods to EU countries in September 2002, 1 percent more than in the same period last year. Imports from EU countries rose by 5 percent to 10 billion euro. In the first eight months of 2002 exports to EU countries rose by 8 percent and imports by 6 percent.
Exports outside EU 13 percent up
Exports to countries outside the EU were 13 percent higher in September 2002 than in September 2001, at nearly 5 billion euro. Imports from non-EU countries fell by 10 percent and were worth 7 billion euro. In the first eight months of 2002 exports rose by 3 percent and imports fell by 13 percent.
(source: CBS)
