SEOUL: South Korea’s exports logged a double-digit growth for the first 20 days of August owing to the continued recovery in global demand, customs office data showed yesterday.

       Exports, which take up about half of the export-driven economy, amounted to US$32.2bil (RM136.2bil) from Aug 1 to Aug 20 period, up 40.9% from the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service.

       Imports spiked 52.1% over the year to US$35.8bil (RM151.42bil) for the first 20 days of this month, sending the trade deficit to US$3.6bil (RM15.22bil).

       The daily average export advanced 31.5% as the global demand kept recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Exports for oil and steel products surged more than 50% in the 20-day period, and those for semiconductors, automotive parts, cars and mobile devices all jumped more than 30%.

       Shipment to China, South Korea’s biggest trading partner, soared 37.3%, with those to the United States, the European Union and Vietnam going up 50.1%, 42.7% and 12.9%, respectively. — Xinhua