The Deputy Prime Minister, Paulo Portas, said today that Portugal’s export figures for the third quarter are “fantastic” and that 2013 is clearly better than the best year ever.
Portuguese exports increased 5.8% in the third quarter with imports growing 3.6%, both compared to the same period in 2012.
Paulo Portas said the data shows "fantastic numbers," as "2012 was the best year ever for exports” and now "2013 is clearly above the best year ever.”
Overall exports from the beginning of the year to the end of September are up 4%, with imports holding steady.
According to Portugal's National Institute of Statistics, the increase in exports in Q.3 was "due to the evolution of trade both intra-EU and extra-EU" and reflected increases in almost all product groups, with emphasis on fuels.
The €1 billion investment by Galp in a new oil refinery in Sines is responsible for boosting exports with over 10% of Portugal’s foreign trade coming from this one company.
