The trade gap in November stood at €101 million, down by €0.5 million compared to the same month in 2007, the latest official figures show.

The National Statistics Office said there was a €59.1 million drop in the value of imports and a €58.7 million decrease in the value of exports. The decline in imports was mainly due to industrial supplies and capital goods. Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food and miscellaneous manufactured articles accounted for the decrease in exports.

Overall, in the first 11 months the trade gap widened by €5.4 million, to stand at €1,238.7 million, primarily due to a decrease of €177.6 million in the value of imports and a drop of €183 million in the value of exports.

The decline in imports was mainly due to machinery and transport equipment. Decreases were also registered in miscellaneous manufactured articles, miscellaneous transactions and commodities, chemicals, food and semi-manufactured goods.

During this period, the drop in exports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment. Other decreases were registered in miscellaneous manufactured articles and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials.

The bulk of Malta's trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union.

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