Portugal continues to record positive data on its economy. One example is the volume index in retail trade, which grew 2.4% in January, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE) of that country. Likewise, Eurostat reported that sales in this trade in the nation had, also in January, the largest increase in the European Union in relation to December: 6.7%, and the third largest homologue, with 6, 6%.
About the indicator of consumer confidence, the INE said that “strengthened the marked upward movement observed since the beginning of 2013, recording the highest value since January 2010”. Similarly, the institute affirm that since July are observed “increases of the confidence indicators in all sectors, Processing Industry, Construction Industry, Trade and services”.
Additionally, INE divulged that Portuguese GDP showed a homologous variation in volume in 1.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013. “This development resulted in large measure for the positive contribution of internal demand, mainly due to the behavior of private consumption”, assured. In relation to the contribution of the net external demand, referred the institute, it had an “increase as a result of the acceleration of Exports of Goods and Services”.
[photo credit: Marcos Proença]
