South Korean exports continued to grow in February despite a high base effect and fewer working days due to the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Thursday that outbound shipments last month grew four percent year-on-year to a tentative tally of 44-point-nine billion dollars. 

The growth has slowed compared to 22 percent in January but growth in exports has continued for the 16th month since November 2016.

Imports in February grew 14-point-eight percent on-year to 41-point-six billion dollars.

The resulting trade balance came to a surplus of three-point-three billion dollars, marking 73 consecutive months of trade surplus.