Imports rise by 7.4pc

MANILA: Philippine imports rose by 7.4 per cent from a year earlier to $4.42 billion in April on increased purchases of electronics. Imports of electronic products increased by 16.9 per cent to $2.23 billion, the largest component which in turn are mostly used in the manufacture of the country’s own electronics exports. — AFP

Peru, US free trade

LIMA: President Alejandro Toledo called on Peruvian lawmakers to ratify a free trade pact with Washington this week, a month before a newly elected Congress with a powerful nationalist opposition bloc is to be sworn in. Peru’s full Congress was expected to begin considering the free trade agreement with the US. — AP