The revenues from sales in the sector of trade in, and repair and maintenance of, cars and motorcycles, personal belongings and household goods increased 10.7 per cent between July 2007 and July 2008, according to early estimates of the National Statistical Institute made public Tuesday.

The increase of July 2008 revenues compared to July 2007 was the largest in wholesale trade - 11.7 per cent. This was mostly due to the growth in the wholesale trade in nonagricultural intermediate products by 17.8 per cent.

The drop in the trade in household goods by 2.3 per cent and the slower rate of growth in the wholesale trade in machines and equipment and the trade in foods, drinks and tobacco products by 8.6 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively, had a controversial effect on the overall index.

The trade in cars and fuels and car repairs posted an increase of 10.4 per cent, of which the trade in cars and motorcycles increased by 13.4 per cent and the retail trade in car fuels and lubricants by 5.2 per cent. In structural terms, the two types of activity have similar relative weight and form over 97 per cent of the amount of revenues.

Growth is also observed in retail trade in and repair of personal belongings and household goods - 6 per cent. Among component activities, a larger than average increase was reported in trade in textiles, apparel and footwear - 6.3 per cent, trade in pharmaceutical and medicinal goods - 7.1 per cent, and trade in household goods and home appliances - 6 per cent.

Wholesale trade in July 2008 compared to June 2008 increased 7.5 per cent and trade in cars and fuels and retail trade went up 4.1 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively, in the period under review.

Source: BTA