1.   The improvement in the current account has been driven by a decline in merchandise imports in recent months.

2.   Furthermore, this was the only noted contraction in purchases among the merchandise imports in the NSCB data.

3.   Merchandise imports stopped rising in January, finally letting the trade deficit fall in response to strengthening exports, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday.

4.   On the other hand, spending for three merchandise imports reached negative growth rates during the period.

5.   Australia merchandise imports rose six per cent in December, creating the possibility of a record monthly current account deficit, economists said Thursday.

6.   The US economy has been expanding more rapidly than that of foreign countries and the growth has triggered record levels of merchandise imports.

7.   Official statistics showed the improved trade position resulted from an eight percent increase in merchandise exports which outweighed a one percent rise in merchandise imports.

8.   The latest figures were well outside market forecasts which had centred on a two percent increase in merchandise imports following a one percent improvement in December.