Dramatic increase in trade with China

Malta has seen a dramatic increase of exports to China over the past six years. Imports have also risen dramatically, according to figures released by Eurostat, the EU's statistical arm.

The statistics were released yesterday on the occasion of an EU-China summit to be held tomorrow.

They show that Malta has managed to increase its exports to China from €2 million in 2000 to €53 million last year.

On the other hand, imports from that country have also increased substantially from €61 million in 2000 to €106 million last year. Eurostat said China is playing an increasing role in EU trade, becoming the second trading partner after the US.

Between 2000 and 2006, EU 27 trade in goods with China grew by more than 150 per cent, with exports rising from €26 billion to €64 billion and imports from €75 billion to €195 billion.

Germany is by far the largest exporter to China, followed by France and Italy. Germany was also the largest importer followed by the Netherlands and the UK.