The main developments in Cyprus foreign trade during the period January-October 2000 as compared with January-October 1999, were:

(a) Total imports (covering imports for home consumption and imports placed into bonded warehouses) rose to £1.951,9 mn as compared with £1.559,0 mn in January-October 1999. Total exports reached £506,1 mn compared to £450,0 mn in January-October 1999. The trade deficit accounted for £1.445,8 mn compared to £1.109,0 mn.

(b) Imports for home consumption increased to £1.601,1 mn during January-October, 2000 compared to £1.278,8 mn in January-October 1999. Intermediate inputs imported for home consumption valued at £550,3 mn or 34,4% followed by consumer goods with £467,1 mn or 29,2%, fuels and lubricants with £220,5 mn or 13,8%, capital goods with £192,0 mn or 12,0% and transport equipment with £155,6 mn or 9,7%.

(c) Domestic exports including shipstores, went up to £204,1 mn as compared with £174,2 mn in January-October 1999, whilst re-exports, including shipstores, to £302,1 mn compared to £275,7 mn in January-October 1999. Industrial products of domestic produce exported during January-October 2000 accounted for £157,2 mn or 82,9%. Exports of raw agricultural products in January-October 2000 valued at £31,1 mn.

(d) During January-October 2000 the EU countries supplied Cyprus with goods valued at £1.008,8 mn or 51,7%. During the same period the EU countries absorbed goods valued at £98,5 mn or 52,0% of Cyprus domestic exports excluding shipstores.