Official data indicate that the annual rate of growth in Portuguese gross domestic product was 2.3 percent in the second quarter of this year, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese government-run news agency says the figure, given by the Portuguese National Statistics Institute, is in line with the forecast by made the Portuguese government.

The report quotes a written statement issued by the Portuguese Finance Ministry as saying the growth is notable for the impetus of job creation and the reduction of unemployment.

The ministry says investment and exports were important contributors to the growth.

The Portuguese economy has grown steadily in recent years, Xinhua says.