Portugal’s economy will exceed the official growth forecast of 1.8 percent this year, Finance Minister Mario Centeno told Reuters yesterday.

Mr Centeno told the news agency better-than-expected growth in exports and investment meant growth would be more than 3 percent in the second quarter of this year.

“The government’s message is that economic growth is strong and sustained, and it is accelerating,” Mr Centeno reportedly said. Portugal’s economy expanded 2.8 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Mr Centeno reiterated the government’s plan to issue short-term bonds denominated in yuan. It would be the first debt issue in yuan by an EU member.