The value of Saudi non-oil exports in December, 2009, totaled SR 10,137 million, showing a rise of 17% as compared to an amount of SR 8, 680 million during the same month in 2008. This figure reflects an overall rise valued at SR 1, 457 million. In terms of the volume of overall exports weightage, it witnessed a hike of 17 percent, accounting for 3,869,000 tons in December, 2009 as compared to 3,320,000 tons in the same month last year. This figure shows a total increase of about 549,000 tons. A latest report of the Central Department of Statistics & Information (CDSI) disclosed that petrochemicals topped the Kingdom's list of exports in December ( 31% of exports - Valued at SR 3142 Million). Plastic products came second (23% of exports - Valued at SR 2854 Million). It was followed by Foodstuffs (9% of exports - valued at SR 876 Million). Natural minerals and their products increased by 5 % amounting to SR 552 million. In addition, 16% of the re-exported commodities were worth SR 1, 571 million and 11% of a number of other exports valued at SR 1, 142 million. CDSI also noted that the UAE topped the list of importers followed by China, Singapore, Qatar, and India. At the level of groups, the Kingdom's import partners included non-Arab and Muslim Asian States , states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League , the European Union and non-Arab Islamic States, respectively. --MORE
