GCC exports to Japan up 30% in Q1 

(MENAFN) The Japanese External Trade Organization (Jetro) stated that during the first quarter, imports from the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) countries swelled by almost 30 percent to USD41.7 billon from nearly USD32.15 billion in last year's same period, reported Emirates 24/7.

The organization said that the value of Saudi exports grew to about USD14.3 billion from USD12.3 billion, followed by the UAE, with its exports to the Asian country rising to USD2.42 billion from USD1.73 billion.

Moreover, Qatar's shipments to Japan increased to USD9.8 billion, compared with USD6.38 billion in 2011's same period, boosted by higher sales of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It added that imports from the GCC included crude, aluminum, natural gas, LNG and petroleum products.

It is worth noting that Japan's exports to the GCC during 2012's first quarter increased to around USD6.61 billion from USD4.73 billion a year ago.