SEOUL, April 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports volume hit a record high, raising expectations that the country's exports may get back on a full recovery track, central bank data showed Tuesday.
The export volume index came in at 151.26 in March, up 4.9 percent from a year earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). It was the highest since the bank began compiling the data in 1988.
The exports volume continued to grow from November last year. The BOK index excludes export products such as ships, weaponry and airplanes which are hard to calculate current prices.
The export recovery was mainly attributable to demand for locally-made chips and displays. Exports volume of general machinery and oil products also posted a double-digit expansion.
In terms of value, the exports jumped 15.6 percent in March from a year earlier. Exports of coal and oil products soared 63 percent on higher crude oil prices.
Meanwhile, the imports volume increased for the fifth straight month through March, marking the highest-ever level.
Imports of general machinery, the primary metal products and transport equipments logged a double-digit gain.
