Italy's exports surge on back of non-EU demand
Italian exports were up by 9.2 percent in March compared to the same month in 2014, mostly driven by demand from outside the EU, the national statistics agency, Istat, said on Monday.
Exports within the EU rose by 6.1 percent, and 13.2 percent to non-EU countries.
Exports were also 1.8 percent higher in March than in February, while the figure rose by 1.2 percent during the quarter compared to the same period last year.
Imports were also up, rising 9.7 percent in March compared to the same month in 2014, and by 4.0 percent since February.
Exports are the driving force behind Italy’s long-awaited return to growth.
The country’s economy grew by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of this year - the fastest pace since the second quarter of 2011, Istat said last week.
The return to growth comes after nine months of recession and zero growth in the last quarter of 2014.
The European Commission has forecast growth at 0.6 percent this year, rising to 1.6 percent in 2016.
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Exports within the EU rose by 6.1 percent, and 13.2 percent to non-EU countries.
Exports were also 1.8 percent higher in March than in February, while the figure rose by 1.2 percent during the quarter compared to the same period last year.
Imports were also up, rising 9.7 percent in March compared to the same month in 2014, and by 4.0 percent since February.
Exports are the driving force behind Italy’s long-awaited return to growth.
The country’s economy grew by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of this year - the fastest pace since the second quarter of 2011, Istat said last week.
The return to growth comes after nine months of recession and zero growth in the last quarter of 2014.
The European Commission has forecast growth at 0.6 percent this year, rising to 1.6 percent in 2016.
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