Provisional data for international trade show that in November, the visible trade gap stood at Lm27.3 million, Lm26.6 million lower than in the same month in 2005. Imports in November last year fell when compared to November 2005.

There was an increase in exports in November compared to the same month in 2005. The fall in imports was mainly due to fuels and lubricants, capital and consumer goods. Food, miscellaneous manufactured articles and chemicals accounted for most of the increase in exports during the month under review.

From the perspective of the first 11 months of the year, the visible trade gap widened by Lm15.7 million to stand at Lm465.4 million. This came about as the increase in imports during this period, which amounted to Lm118.2 million, outstripped the Lm102.5 million rise in exports.

Higher import values were registered, especially for industrial supplies, but there were also increases in capital goods, consumer goods and fuels.

The increase in exports during the period was generated primarily by machinery and transport equipment, food and chemicals.

An analysis of the total trade balance by commodity group indicates that the deterioration in the balance for the first 11 months of 2006 was mainly due to miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and transport equipment, and semi-manufactured goods. Food and chemicals brought about an improvement in the trade balance.

The bulk of Malta’s trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed to the European Union during the first 11 months of 2006.