Seasonally adjusted external trade increased in both directions in December, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Exports increased by 3 per cent while imports increased by 1 per cent compared the previous month.
The CSO said the value of exports in December was €7.2 billion, down €188 million or 7 per cent on December 2005, while the value of imports was €5.3 billion, down €178 million or 3 per cent.
The value of exports in November 2006 was €7.6 billion down €567 million or by 7 per cent on November 2005, while the value of imports was €5.5 billion, up €305 million or 6 per cent.
Comparing the January-November figures for 2006 to those of 2005, the figures show exports increased from €79. 4 billion to €81.4 billion or by 3 per cent.
Over the same period imports increased from €51.9 billion to €55 billion or by 6 per cent. Computer equipment increased from €8.2 billion to €9.4 billion or by 15 per cent.
Goods from China increased from €3.3 billion to over €4 billion or by 19 per cent; and goods from the United States fell from €7 billion to €6 billion, or by 14 per cent.