Page 13 - AHATA

36 LOCAL NEWS AWEMainta
Minister Geoffrey Wever:
Importation in 2023 Higher Compared to 2022
ON September 29th, an article was published in the media
titled “Imports in the month of August decreased by 34
million.” Upon analyzing the statistics published by the
Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) until the end of August
2023, they show that the total value of imported products
reached a sum of AWG 1.8 billion. Out of this amount, AWG
1.71 billion is allocated for local production and consump-
tion, and AWG 90 million goes through the Freezone for
export. The total weight until the end of August 2023 reached
a sum of 467 million kilograms, of which 460 million kilo-
grams are imported for local production and consumption,
and 7 million kilograms through the Freezone for export.
Aruba, as a small economy, imports most of the products
that each of us purchases in supermarkets or stores. These
products include everyday items like food, beverages, and
construction materials. These products arrive in Aruba via
ships or planes from different countries and are intended for
local production and consumption or the Freezone. All prod-
ucts are categorized into sections, such as food products,
among others.
When making a comparison between August 2023 and
August 2022, the data indicates that in August 2023, there
was an import decrease of 34 million florins compared to
August 2022. The analysis shows that in August 2023,
there was a 15 million florin decrease in Petrochemical
products, 14 million less in Meat, Fish, and Seafood, Dairy
Products intended for local production and consumption,
and a 5 million florin decrease in Food Products through the
Freezone.
Regarding August 2023 compared to July 2023, the data
Diahuebs, 12 October 2023
reveals a 3.6 million florin decrease in imports but an increase
of 33 million kilograms in weight. Out of the 96 different
product sections, from meat to cement, 52 sections show a
decrease of 33.3 million florins and 11.2 million kilograms,
while 44 sections indicate an increase of 26.7 million florins
and 45 million kilograms intended for local production and
consumption.
Public information from the Central Bureau of Statistics
indicates a rise in value and weight until the end of August
2023 compared to 2022. In 2022 until the end of August,
the import value was 1.6 billion florins with a weight of 433
million kilograms. This means that until the end of August
2023, the total import value increased by 180 million
florins, or 11% compared to the end of August 2022. As for
the weight, until the end of August 2023, the total weight
increased by 34 million kilograms or 8% compared to the
end of August 2022.
The data from CBS shows that until the end of August 2023,
there is more importation both in value and weight compared
to 2022. This indicates that even though we import more, we
are also paying more for the imported products, and inter-
national price levels remain relatively high.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Communication, and
Sustainable Development continuously monitors the devel-
opment of imports and exports of products and their impact
on Aruba’s economy.
Minister Geoffrey Wever expresses gratitude to CBS for their
daily work and the publication of data that is of great impor-
tance to our economy.