The figures showed that exports increased nearly 12 percent to $313 million.

This rise in exports was due to a 21 percent increase in exports of natural or cultured pearl to $111 million, and machinery and mechanical appliances by 20 percent to $51 million.

According to the numbers, Imports grew 17 percent in January 2009 to $1.2 billion driven by the higher bill of mineral fuels and oils as oil prices surged more than 77 percent in the 12 months to January to $76.

Fuel imports grew 39 percent to $224 million in January.