Private imports up 16.7 p.c.

Press, 21 April 1979, Page 7

Private imports up 16.7 p.c.

FA Wellington Payments for private imports for the 12 months ending August, 1979, were projected to be 53301 M, an increase of 16.7 per cent over actual payments of 52829.4 M for the 12 months ended August, 1978. said the Government Statistician (Mr E. A. Harris). The latest calculation is made up of actual private import payments to the end of February, 1979, as released by the Reserve Bank, together with an estimate of import payments for the six months to August, 1979. This forward estimate, based on the orders and payments survey, indicates that private import payments will average S2BOM a month from March to May. 1979, and S3O6M a month from June to August, 1979. Corresponding averages of actual payments a year earlier were

$223M and S24BM respectively. The survey of overseas orders and payments for February, 1979, shows that orders, excluding those for mineral fuels, for February have risen by 16 per cent from the January level. This movement is mainly a result of seasonal influences. Orders, excluding mineral fuels, in February, 1978, where 23 per cent higher than in January, 1978. Orders, excluding mineral fuels, for the three months ending February, 1979, were $400.2M — a decrease of 13 per cent on the previous three months, but an increase of 53 per cent on the three months ended February. 1978.

Surveyed orders for mineral fuels fluctuate considerably. In the six months ended February, 1979, they were 5286.6 M — 11 per cent lower than the 5321.3 M for the six months ended February 1978, said the statement.