ROME: Italy saw exports rise by 1.7 percent in August from July as the economy struggles to exit a two-year recession that has caused record unemployment and shut thousands of businesses.
Italy’s trade surplus also rose to ¤958m ($1.3bn), compared to a deficit of ¤483m in August 2012, official data released by the Istat agency yesterday showed.
Imports were down 1.1 percent on the month. On a 12-month comparison, however, exports were down 4.4 percent and imports down 9.8 percent. Italy has seen some mixed economic results this month, with the latest figures showing a 0.3-percent dip in industrial production but a return to growth for the service sector. AFP
