The French authorities recently published the 2005 results of France’s external trade relations. Exports to Malta amounted to e480 million and imports from Malta reached e304 million.

When compared to 2004, the figures for Malta have registered a decrease of 27.3 per cent in French exports. The change in French exports (–e180.2 million) was mainly due to a decline in the sales of electronics, aeronautical equipment and automobiles.

This was partly compensated by improvements in sales of petroleum products, yachts and grain.

There was an increase of 2.5 per cent in French imports. The bilateral exchanges are still dominated by the activities of the electronic sector (73 per cent of total imports and exports).

The difference of +e7.5 million was generated by increases in the electronic and petroleum sectors offset by a decline in sales of toys, outerwear and medical products.