Bulgaria’s economic growth quickened in the three months ended March, after easing in the previous quarter, preliminary figures from the National Statistical Institute showed Wednesday.

Gross domestic product grew 2.0 percent year-over-year in the first quarter, faster than previous quarter’s 1.3 percent expansion. In the third quarter last year, the growth rate was 1.5 percent.

Exports of goods and services climbed at a faster pace of 9.1 percent yearly in the March quarter, following a 5.4 percent gain in the December quarter. Imports also rose 4.9 percent, but slower than a 7.5 percent increase registered in the prior quarter.

Gross fixed capital formation increased at a slower pace of 2.6 percent in the three-month period to March, following a 3.3 percent hike in the three months ended December.

Quarter-on-quarter, GDP advanced 0.9 percent in the first quarter, faster than preceding quarter’s stable rate of 0.4 percent increase.

The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com