SEOUL: South Korean exports are holding firm so far this month, posting growth from a year earlier, Reuters calculations from customs agency data showed on Friday, suggesting fears of a sharp economic slowdown are overblown.
The customs agency stopped providing interim figures for foreign trade early this year, saying performance for the rest of the month could significantly change official monthly performance.
Exports for the Oct. 1-20 period totalled $28.34 billion and imports amounted to $27.60 billion, producing a trade surplus of $0.74 billion, according to the calculations.
In September, exports fell about 10 percent in the first 20 days but jumped for the remainder of the month, posting 18.8 percent growth for the whole month over a year earlier.
South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, has said more of its exports are going to emerging economies and that the impact on growth from softening in advanced economies would be limited.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy is due to release foreign trade data for the whole of October on Nov. 1.
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