Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1519224
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 APRIL 2024 NEWS THE first estimates of euro ar- ea balance showed a €23.6bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in Feb- ruary 2024, compared with +€3.6bn in February 2023. The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world in February 2024 were €235.0 billion, a slight increase of 0.3% compared with February 2023 (€234.4bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €211.4bn, a fall of 8.4% com- pared with February 2023 (€230.8bn). In February 2024, the sur- plus recorded in the 'machin- ery and vehicles' sector nearly doubled compared with Jan- uary 2024 and the deficit re- corded for 'energy' products continued to decrease. As a result, the overall sur- plus increased. In the first two months of 2024, the euro area recorded a surplus of €35.2bn, compared with -€28.4bn in January-Feb- ruary 2023. The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €460.7bn (an increase of 0.6% compared with Jan- uary-February 2023), and imports fell to €425.5bn (a decrease of 12.5% compared with January-February 2023). Intra-euro area trade fell to €428.9bn in January-February 2024, down by 6.2% compared with January-February 2023. European Union The first estimates of EU bal- ance showed a €22.1bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in February 2024, compared with +€2.0bn in February 2023. The EU exports of goods in February 2024 were €210.6 bil- lion, up by 0.7% compared with February 2023 (€209.0bn). The EU Imports of goods stood at €188.5bn, down by 9.0% compared with February 2023 (€207.0bn). When looking at the break- down of the EU balance by product, the picture is similar to the graph of the euro area. In February 2024, the surplus re- corded in the 'machinery and vehicles' sector nearly doubled compared with January 2024 and the deficit recorded for 'energy' products continued to decrease. As a result, the over- all surplus increased. In January to February 2024, the EU recorded a surplus of €28.4bn, compared with a defi- cit of €36.6bn in January-Feb- ruary 2023. The EU exports of goods rose to €409.8bn (an in- crease of 0.5% compared with January-February 2023), and imports fell to €381.4bn (a de- crease of 14.2% compared with January-February 2023). Intra-EU trade fell to €674.3bn in January-February 2024, -4.4% compared with January-February 2023. Euro area international trade in goods records €23.6bn surplus Euro area balance by product group International trade in goods of the euro area TO commemorate the launch of KM Malta Airlines, the new national airline, MaltaPost is issuing a set of three stamps portraying images of the newly ordered Airbus passenger aircraft. Each stamp carries a denomination of €1.50 and will be available as from Friday 19 April 2024 from all post of- fices in Malta and Gozo. The stamp set will be issued in a sheet of 9, with each stamp measur- ing 35mm x 35mm, a comb perfora- tion of 14.29 x 14.29 and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measure 135mm x 135mm and were produced by Prin- tex Ltd in the offset process. The is- sue consists of 37,800 stamps. Orders for the new stamps can be placed online at www.maltaphilate- ly.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c., 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; by tele- phone 2596 1740 or via e-mail info@ maltaphilately.com. New stamp issue to celebrate launch of KM Malta Airlines The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world rose to €460.7bn in February