HELSINKI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Finland saw a major decline in both its imports and exports in 2020, according to Finnish Customs statistics released on Monday.

The value of Finnish exports of goods declined by 11.9 percent to 57.3 billion euros in 2020 compared to the previous year, while the value of imports dropped by 9.9 percent to 59.4 billion euros, the statistics showed.

The balance of Finnish trade deficit increased notably in 2020 compared to 2019. According to preliminary data, the trade balance showed a deficit of 2 billion euros in 2020.

In 2020, Finnish exports to the European Union (EU) member countries decreased by 12.8 percent, while exports to non-EU countries shrank by 10.7 percent. Imports from EU countries dropped by 7.5 percent whereas imports from non-EU countries declined by 13.1 percent.

The country's exports to China decreased by 13.2 percent in 2020, while imports from China grew by 9 percent.

Finnish business daily Kauppalehti said the whole year of 2020 was pale compared with 2019. However, the value of Finnish exports increased by 6.8 percent in December year-on-year to 6 billion euros.

Olli-Pekka Penttila, director of statistics at Finnish Customs, said on social media that "there is growth at last."

Pasi Kuoppamaki, chief economist of Danske Bank in Finland, said that the December customs figures reflected a return towards normal times, adding the upcoming recovery of the world economy will promote exports this year. Enditem

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