U.N. Statistics Show Rise In World Trade

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 15

U.N. Statistics Show Rise In World Trade

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, May 14

The value of world exports in 1959 reached a record 101,000 million dollars, according to a United Nations year book issued today.

The statistical report showed that exports rose 6 per cent, over the corresponding figures for 1958. The United States. Canada, Western Europe, Japan. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa accounted for three-quarters of the world's exports. “In recent years,” the year book said, “the countries of Continental Western Europe have been gradually regaining their pre-war position, accounting in 1959 for 46 per cent, of the value of world imports, and maintaining their share of world exports at the pre-war level of 44 per cent.” The year book said that since the war the United States had replaced Britain as the world's largest trading nation, accounting for 15 per cent, of world trade against Britain’s 10 per cent The next largest trading nation in 1959 was West Germany, followed by Canada and France The report said that the Soviet Union had replaced the United States as the world's top producer of iron ore. Between 1958 and 1959 United States production of ore dropped 14 per cent, and that in 1959 American facilities yielded only 17 per cent, of the world’s total supply. In contrast, the Soviet

Union was producing 29 per cent, of all mined ore while France, Canada. Sweden and Venezuela accounted for 10 per cent.. 6 per cent., 6 per cent., and 5 per cent respectively Steel production in 1959. the year book said, was 305 million metric tons—3l.ooo.ooo metric tons more than in the previous year—with the United States the largest producer (85.000.000 metric tons) The Soviet Union was next, followed by West Germany. Britain, Japan. France and China. World industrial production during 1960 was 44 per cent greater than in 1959. which in turn was 10 per cent greater than during 1958. the report revealed in its general statistical section • The world volume of production in 1960 was 37 per cent, higher than in 1953 and 170 per cent more than in 1938 In a section devoted to East Europe, the year book said Soviet industrial production had nearly doubled since 1953. while Czechoslovakia. Poland and Rumania showed increases of 70 per cent, during the same period. All the West European nations also registered Increases, with Wes* Germany recording a 60 per cent. gain.