Exports of goods amounted to $10,665 million during 2017, 7% more than in 2016, according to the Minister of Foreign Trade (COMEX), Alexander Mora.
The main export sectors are medical and precision equipment, equivalent to 27% of the total, and agriculture, with 26%. These sectors grew at a rate of 11% and 5%, respectively.
Exports of goods registered strong growth in companies under the free zone regime (9%), while the definitive regime had a smaller increase (5%).
Exports to the Asian continent grew by 59% last year, especially driven by sales to China. The first shipments of sugar and pineapple to this country were made in 2017. Medical devices were also exported.
The sales to North America and Europe grew 7%, while exports to Central America were 4%. Due to the lower exports to Venezuela, this region registers a decrease of 8%.
The data on service exports are not yet complete, since they are measured with a lag. However, in September 2017, the goal of $9.25 billion was met by 72%.
There was also an outstanding growth in the areas of travel, business services and computing and telecommunications.