Text Box: Anguilla: International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report 2005 Imports to Anguilla, were relatively strong in 2005, recording a 26.8% growth over 2004. EC$350.6 million dollars in goods were imported during 2005 compared to EC$276.6 million in 2004. The boost in imports was fuelled by the increased importation of Consumption Goods. Consumption Goods had the largest percentage increase of 32.5% for the year, followed by Primary Goods with 26.6% and Capital Goods with 17.8% over the 2004 figures. Some items which accounted for most of the rise in imports were food products, alcoholic beverages, wood, building materials (sand, marble stone) banana and ornamental plants, aviation fuel and other petroleum products, cement, electrical and light fittings, furniture, vehicles, heavy equipment, wall and floor tiles, iron and steel products, paints among other products. During 2005, the month of February experienced the largest percentage increase in imports of 62.7% over its corresponding 2004 figure. This was as a result of an increase in Capital Goods imports of 86.5% over its 2004 figure caused by a high import value of heavy equipment. All other months in 2005, with the exception of August recorded increases. The primary source of the decline in August, was in imports Capital Goods, this category of goods declined for this period by 44.1%. Most of the heavy equipment that was brought into the island in 2004 for the road construction was partly the source of this category's high import value for August 2004. With no major imports of this kind recorded for August 2005, the import value showed a decline, returning this category to ‘normal’ levels. Annually (05/04), Consumption Goods showed the largest percentage increase in value of imported goods for 2005 of 32.5% and saw EC$44.5 million more in goods being brought in to the island. The Food and Live Animals and Beverages and Tobacco components contributed most to this rise accounting for 39.9% and 45.4% respectively. All other components within the Consumption Goods category recorded increases for the year under review. Furniture, tyres, tiles, building materials, were some of the other items included in the other components of this category of goods that contributed to the increase. The Primary Goods category, saw an increase in total value of EC$14.2 million more in imported goods over the 2004 figures. All the components within this category recorded increases during this period with Crude Materials, Inedible except Fuels carrying the largest percentage increase which amounted to 48.8% over last year’s figure. Wood, building stone, sand, banana and ornamental plants were the primary sources of the increase within this component. Aviation fuel and other petroleum products (which fall under the Mineral Fuels, Lubricants category) were some of the items contributing to the 30.4% increase. Fertilizers, Insecticides, PVC piping and other fixtures attributed to the 14.1% increase within Chemicals and Related Products category. Annually (05/04), imports of Capital Goods rose by 17.8%. Machinery and Transport Equipment within this category, which is the sole component had an increase in value of goods imported of EC$15.3 million). The importation of vehicles, household appliances, machinery parts, heavy equipment and other machinery were the main items attributable to the rise. Exports, which include re-exports and domestic exports in 2005 were valued at EC$39.8 million, a 156.5% increase over 2004. Domestic exports totaled EC$20.8 million in 2005, accounting for 52.3% of overall exports. The value of re-exported goods totaled EC$19.0 million in comparison to EC$13.6 million in 2004. The international merchandise trade deficit for the 2004 was EC$310.8 million, a 19.0% percent increase compared to EC$261.1 million in 2004. With the large increases in imports within these categories of goods (Capital, Consumption and Primary) being imported to the island, there is an indication that present consumption activity was on the rise during 2005 and investment activity continued its growth from 2004. The figures for imports and exports/re-exports shown represent the total record on customs documents brought to account at that period. They do not necessarily represent the actual total amount of goods imported into the country or exported from the country during that period. However, the customs records account for the major percentage by far, of total merchandise imports. This report along with other Trade Data, are available at the Government of Anguilla’s website: http://gov.ai/statistics/external.htm