Macao's total export value reached US$1.25 billion in the first six months, an increase of 7.3 percent over the same period last year.

The Macao Statistics and Census Bureau's latest release suggested that textiles and garments took up 78.9 percent of Macao 's total export value between January and June, which comprises domestic export and re-exports.

The United States and the European Union bought 45.6 percent and 22.9 percent, respectively, of Macao's total exports. While Macao's exports to the United States rose 3.2 percent, and those to the EU grew 6.5 percent.

Meanwhile, imports totaled US$1.6 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 26.2 percent. China's mainland and Hong Kong had a combined share of 54.2 percent of Macao's total import value in the first half of the year.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2004)