The visible trade gap narrowed by €28.7 million in August when compared to the corresponding month in 2011 but widened by €224.1 million to €1,441.9 million in the first eight months, according to preliminary figures published by the National Statistics Office.

The figures show that the visible trade gap in August stood at €111 million. There were increases in imports and exports of €134.6 million and €163.3 million, respectively.

The NSO said that a substantial amount of Malta's trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed to the European Union.

Increases were registered in imports from Italy, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands, while there were decreases from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Exports to the euro area went up, as did exports to Turkey, Libya, the United States of America, Singapore and Taiwan.

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