Exports continued their downward trend, shedding €10.5 million in September, according to figures issued this morning by the National Statistics Office.

It said the visible trade gap widened by €74.5 million in September when compared to September 2007 to reach €159.6 million.

There was an increase in imports of €64.0 million and a decrease in exports of €10.5 million. The increase in imports was due to fuels and lubricants, capital goods and consumer goods.

Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, beverages and tobacco and miscellaneous manufactured articles accounted for the decrease in exports.

During the first nine months this year, the visible trade gap widened by €134.2 million, to stand at €1,091.9 million. Imports were down by €9.4 million while exports dropped by €143.5 million.

The decrease in imports was mainly due to machinery and transport equipment. Decreases were also registered in miscellaneous manufactured articles, chemicals and miscellaneous transactions and commodities.

The drop in exports consisted primarily of machinery and transport equipment.

The trade gap widened by €145.4 million. The bulk of Malta’s trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union during the period under review, the NSO said.

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