S'pore non-oil exports fall

S'pore non-oil exports fall

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's key non-oil domestic exports (NODX) in March fell 2.1 percent from a year ago, sharply down on the 5.4 percent growth the previous month, the government said Tuesday.

The fall was a reflection of poor demand in the global electronics sector, the Trade Development Board (TDB) said.

"The weak growth in NODX reflected continued decline in domestic exports of electronics while that of non-electronics still showed increases," it said.

Electronic exports slumped 3.8 percent, their third straight monthly decline led down by semiconductor, personal computer and telecommunications equipment clusters, TDB said.

Electronic exports make up the bulk of NODX exports which is a key health indicator of the city-state's trade driven economy.

Total trade in March grew 2.7 percent year-on-year to S$39.5 billion (US$21.9 billion), compared with a 13.5 percent jump for February.