Kuwait's July trade surplus with Japan down 35.6 Pct

TOKYO, Aug 17 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's trade surplus with Japan narrowed 35.6 percent from a year earlier to JPY 65.1 billion (USD 445 million) in July, down for the fourth consecutive month, as exports remained week, government data showed on Thursday.

But Kuwait stayed in black ink with Japan for 15 years and six months, as exports offset imports in value, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report.
Overall Kuwaiti exports to Japan plummeted 28.4 percent year-on-year to JPY 86.7 billion (USD 593 million), down for the third straight month.
Imports from Japan grew 8.1 percent to JPY 21.6 billion (USD 148 million), up for the 15th month in a row.
Middle East's trade surplus with the world's third-biggest economy narrowed 37.0 percent to JPY 677.7 billion (USD 4.6 billion) last month, with Japan-bound exports from the region falling 26.5 percent from a year earlier.
Crude oil, refined products, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other natural resources, which accounted for 95.0 percent of the region's total exports to Japan, plunged 27.0 percent. The region's overall imports from Japan jumped 21.7 percent on demand for automobiles, machinery and steel.
Japan's global trade balance returned to deficit in July with JPY 78.7 billion (USD 538 million), hurt by weak exports, which slumped 0.3 percent from the year before. Exports marked the first decline since February 2021, chiefly due to sluggish shipments of semiconductor production and related equipment, despite strong demand for automobiles. Imports slid 13.5 percent on lower energy bills, especially coal, crude oil and LNG. China remained Japan's biggest trade partner, followed by the US.
The trade data are measured on a customs-cleared basis before adjustment for seasonal factors. (end) mk.rk.