SINGAPORE's exports fell in September due to a decrease in overseas demand for electronics and petrochemicals, according to government statistics.

   But total trade increased seven per cent last month year on year following a 9.9 per cent growth in August. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the level of total trade in September reached S$80 billion (US$63.4 billion) down from August's total of S$83 billion.

    Non-oil domestic exports fell 4.5 per cent in September from a year earlier, in contrast to the 3.9 per cent increase in August. Electronic shipments during the month dropped 14 per cent compared to the same month last year, after a 19 per cent decline in the previous month.

    Non-electronic shipments, that is, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, expanded 0.9 per cent compared to September 2010, and against an 18 per cent increase the previous month. Increases in non-electronics were led by pharmaceuticals (+12 per cent), civil engineering equipment parts (+54 per cent) and printed matter (+37 per cent).

    The Lion City's non-oil exports dropped a seasonally adjusted 9.3 per cent last month compared to a growth of 7.2 per cent in August. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the level of non-oil domestic exports reached S$14 billion in September 2011, lower than the S$15 billion registered in the previous month.

(Source:http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsList.asp?classname=News)