The Chamber of Commerce yesterday expressed dismay over comments made by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna that appeared to downplay export statistics.

“The Chamber does not agree with the minister’s explanation that the reason for declining exports is a drop in external demand,” it said.

Rather, the situation was one of declining competitiveness levels mainly due to increased operating costs and improved competitiveness in some overseas countries “where the need to defend competitiveness has surpassed all other priorities”.

The Chamber also criticised Prof. Scicluna for doubting the statistics issued by Eurostat and the National Statistics Office.

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