NEWS RELEASE
EXTERNAL TRADE BULLETIN
January to November 2006


February 23, 2007.

The January to November 2006 External Trade Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reveals that imports during the period January to November 2006 grew by 20.4 percent or US$882.4 million to US$5,216.8 million. Total exports increased by 29.7 percent or US$414.0 million to earn US$1,808.5 million. The trade deficit stood at US$3,408.3 million, compared to US$2,939.9 million recorded for the comparable 2005 period.

The Major Commodity group imported during January to November 2006 was "Minerals Fuels etcetera" valued at US$1,629.6 million, growing by US$363.6 million or 28.7 percent. "Machinery and Transport Equipment" were valued at US$1,041.9 million, "Manufactured Goods amounted to US$642.2 million, "Chemicals" US$ 639.6 million and to "Food" US$570.9 million.

Domestic Exports during January to November 2006 grew by US$409.5 million, or 30.0 percent. Re-exports for the period were valued at US$ 32.1 million, increasing by US$4.5 million or 16.2 percent.

The value of Traditional domestic exports earned US$1,225.9 million, representing an increase of US $164.5 million or 15.5 percent. Non-traditional exports were valued at US$550.6 million, increasing by US$245.0 million or 80.2 percent, when compared to the 2005 period.

The External Trade Bulletin for January to November 2006 further outlines additional information and may be obtained at our distribution centre located at 7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.