Jump in Feb. exports boosts optimism in sector
Exports jumped 35.5 percent year-on-year in February following a sharp increase in the previous month, raising hopes for a continued strong performance in coming months, the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PEA) said on Monday.
PEA said that exports of goods in February reached 1.4 billion euros, versus 1.05 billion, in the same month last year, after an annual jump of almost 40 percent in January.
?The strong increase in exports for the second straight month in 2011 adds optimism for the coming months,? said PEA president Christina Sakellaridis in a statement.
?The next bet relates to the Easter period where global trade traditionally sees a boost.?
Greek oil exports jumped 65 percent in February, while industrial goods rose 45.5 percent, followed by a 32 percent rise in machinery and transport materials, added the exporters group.
PEA said last month that export revenues this year may expand at a faster rate than a 5.5 percent growth forecast set by the European Commission for Greece.
