SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export grew in double digits in the first 20 days of February due to soaring demand for locally-made semiconductors, customs office data showed Monday.
Outbound shipment jumped 23.5 percent from a year earlier to 43.52 billion U.S. dollars in the Feb. 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.
The daily average export spiked 47.3 percent to 3.35 billion dollars in the 20 days.
Semiconductor exports more than doubled to 15.12 billion dollars, but automotive shipment dipped 26.6 percent to 2.65 billion dollars.
Export for oil products, ships and mobile devices swelled in double digits, but shipment for auto parts and precision machinery declined in double figures.
Imports increased 11.7 percent to 38.57 billion dollars in the first 20 days of February, sending the trade surplus to 4.95 billion dollars.
Import for chips, semiconductor equipment, natural gas, coal, cars and mobile devices logged a double-digit growth, but machinery imports reduced in single figures. ■
