RIYADH: Saudi Arabia"s non-oil exports increased by 36.6 percent in April, compared to the same period last year, as the country continues to diversify its economy to achieve the goals outlined in Vision 2030, the General Authority for Statistics, also known as GASTAT, said in a report. According to the report, Saudi Arabia"s non-oil exports in April stood at SR27.4 billion ($7.3 billion), against SR20 billion in the same period last year. Non-oil exports in April 2022, however, decreased by SR1.5 billion or 5.3 percent when compared to March 2022. In April the Kingdom’s merchandise imports grew 11.2 percent year-on-year, to SR55.3 billion, while it fell 1 percent compared to last month. Overall merchandise exports in April increased by 98 percent to SR137 billion, up from SR69.3 billion in April 2021. Chemical and allied industries driving non-oil exports Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports were driven by chemical and allied industries which accounted for 36.6 percent of non-oil merchandise exports, the GASTAT report stated. The report further noted that the most imported merchandises were machinery and mechanical appliances, along with electrical equipment parts which accounted for 18.9 percent of total merchandise imports.