Provisional data for international trade show that the visible trade gap in July 2008 stood at e142.4 million, up by e0.9 million from the same month last year, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday. There was a decrease in imports of e30.7 million and a decrease in exports of e31.5 million.

The decrease in imports was due to industrial supplies and capital goods. Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, crude materials and semi-manufactured goods accounted for the decrease in exports during July 2008 when compared to the same month last year.

During the first seven months this year, the visible trade gap widened by e57.7 million, to stand at e802.1 million. This came about because of a decrease of e62.0 million in imports and a decrease of e119.7 million in exports. The decrease in imports was mainly due to machinery and transport equipment.

Decreases were also registered in miscellaneous manufactured articles, chemicals and semi-manufactured goods. During this period the decrease in exports was primarily due to machinery and transport equipment.

Other decreases were registered in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials and miscellaneous manufactured articles.

An analysis of the total trade balance by commodity group indicates that the deterioration in the balance for the first seven months of 2008 was mainly due to mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, which widened the trade gap by e112.6 million.

The bulk of Malta’s trade flows and consequent trade deficit continued to be directed towards the European Union during the first seven months of 2008.