Phl exports up 15.7 pct in September

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Philippine export earnings expanded by 15.7 percent on year to $5.84 billion in September on the back of higher receipts from shipments of electronic products, the country's statistics agency said today.

Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that electronic products remained as the country's top export in September, accounting for 41.8 percent of total exports revenue. Receipts from electronic products went up by 13.6 percent on year to $2.44 billion.

The statistics agency said revenues from outward shipments of chemicals, goods classified as other manufactures, machinery and transport equipment and other mineral products also posted hikes in September.

Chemicals was the second top earner in September, registering the highest year-on-year increase among the top 10 exports during the period. Revenues from shipments of chemicals rose by 163.8 percent on year to $600.68 million.

Outward shipments of manufactured goods accounted for 85.2 percent of total export earnings in September. Revenues from manufactured goods increased by 19.7 percent on year to $4.98 billion.

Top foreign buyers of Philippine-made products during the period were Japan, the United States, China, and Singapore.

In the nine months to September, export earnings summed up to $46.59 billion, nearly 10 percent higher than the $42.38 billion posted in the same period last year.