"Greek exports made a strong performance early in the fourth quarter of the year, rising by 24 pct in October. A rising trend of Greek exports throughout the year creates optimism over achieving a new export record, although on the other hand, an increase in imports is a cause of concern and brings back to focus the need to support domestic product,” the Panhellenic Exporters Association said in an announcement released on Friday. The announcement was made after Hellenic Statistical Authority released its report on merchandise trade in October, which showed that the total value of exports-dispatches, in October 2018 amounted to 3.118,5 billion euro in comparison with 2.514,9 million euro in October 2017, recording an increase, in euro, of 24.0 pct. The corresponding change excluding oil products recorded in October 2018 an increase of 210.4 million euro or 11.7 pct and the corresponding change excluding oil products and ships in October 2018 recorded an increase of 209.1 million euro or 11.6 pct.