Provisional data for international trade show that the visible trade gap in November 2008 stood at €101.0 million, down by €0.5 million compared to the same month in 2007.

There was a decrease in imports of €59.1 million and a decrease in exports of €58.7 million. The decrease 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 during November 2008 when compared to the same month in 2007.

During the first eleven months last year, the visible trade gap widened by €5.4 million, to stand at €1,238.7 million. This came about because of a decrease of €177.6 million in imports and a decrease of €183.0 million in 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 during the first eleven months of 2008.

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