The Portuguese Ministry of Finance says the rate of growth of the economy is picking up, Reuters reports.

“In the second half, signs of acceleration have already been visible, with exports and investment being the most dynamic components,” the report says.

The ministry says the government was preparing the 2017 budget, which could favour growth, jobs, and “reiterate the budget execution rigour”.

Official figures indicate that the Portuguese economy was 0.9 percent bigger in the second quarter than a year earlier.

Reuters reported previously that the government expected the economy to grow by 1.8 percent this year, while the International Monetary Fund expected growth of about 1 percent.