During the same two months, total exports were shown to have increased from Lm141.4 million to Lm146.5 million, that is by 3.6 per cent. Domestic imports increased by Lm9.7 million while re-exports fell by Lm4.6 million.

The NSO said that during this period importation of capital goods rose by 1.3 per cent and fuel imports showed a Lm4.3 million increase. On the other hand, imports of industrial supplies were down by 14.4 million and consumer goods imports fell by Lm2.1 million.

The statistics showed that during January and February of this year the visible trade gap narrowed by Lm16.9 million, from Lm56.4 million to Lm39.5 million.

In this two month period, the statistics showed that the EU remained Malta’s main trading partner. Imports from the Union amounted to Lm124.6 million, representing 67 per cent of the total. Total exports to the EU amounted to Lm66.8 million, 45.6 per cent of the total figure for exports. Imports and exports outside the EU were with Asia and America. Imports from Asia totalled Lm32.8 million, 17.6 per cent, while those from America stood at 7.8 per cent, said the NSO. Exports to Asia in January and February 2004 amounted to Lm35.5 million, 24.2 per cent, and those to America Lm27.3 million.