Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports fell in March

Saturday, May 11, 2013

RIYADH (Zawya Dow Jones)--Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports fell 5.9% to 17 billion Saudi riyals ($4.6 billion) in March, pushed down by a drop in petrochemicals exports, the government said Saturday.

The report, by Saudi Arabia's Central Department of Statistics and Information, showed that petrochemicals, plastics and rubber were the top export categories, representing 64% of total exports, according to a statement carried by the kingdom's Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has been building up its petrochemicals industry using its natural gas reserves as feedstock. In March, petrochemicals exports fell 8.3% to SAR5.5 billion.

The United Arab Emirates was the top recipient of Saudi non-oil exports in March, taking 14% of the total. China came in second, at 10.8%, and Singapore third at 6.3%.

Write to Ellen Knickmeyer at ellen.knickmeyer@dowjones.com

Copyright (c) 2013 Dow Jones & Co.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-05-13 0922GMT