Figures published by the Bank of Ghana indicates that, preliminary estimates for the year 2002 suggested that recorded exports have augmented by $125 million during the past year, whilst imports have declined by $80 million, despite the cedi falling 15.4% to the dollar.

The six per cent rise indicates that the country is likely to perform better than the targeted real GDP growth of 4.5 per cent.

A dollar was selling for ?8,555 on the inter-bank market yesterday, showing a slight recovery this week, despite the general price increases which followed petroleum price increases two weeks ago.