CBS: durables imports in January-February 2008 up

Imports of motor vehicles and electric appliances totaled $876 million in January-February 2008
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) issued a press release last week noting that imports of motor vehicles and electric appliances totaled $876 million in January-February 2008, 38% more than the $634 million in the corresponding period of 2007.
 
Imports plasma and LCD screen TVs was up 4% to 43,372 units; Imports of washing machines was up 6% to 23,542 units; Dishwashers up 19% to 5,110; Clothes dryers rose 35% to 4,671.
 
The CBS noted however that imports of refrigerators fell in January-February 2008, by 1% to 13,344 units, and imports of DVDs and VCRs fell 21% to 28,861 units.
 
Cigarette imports fell 11% to 21.2 million cartons in February, but rose by 11% in dollar terms to more than US$10 million.