Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The export sector is continuing to support the economy. Statistics New Zealand reported that exports rose 16 percent, to $6.7 billion, in July compared to the same month a year earlier. On an annual basis, exports rose 12 percent, to $68.3 billion. The sector is continuing to show its resilience in what is a difficult and uncertain global environment. Global shipping costs are now starting to ease, although they do remain subject to disruptions. Nevertheless, New Zealand finds itself in a good position to face the challenges ahead and support New Zealanders to blunt the sharp edges of the global economic slowdown.