over the previous year, boosted by growth in vehicles and other transportation-related goods, dpa cited statistics body INE as aying Tuesday. Imports decreased by 6.9 per cent in 2012. Strong monthly gains were also posted in January, with exports rising 19.6 per cent over December. Imports increased by 5.3 per cent. Exports are regarded as one of the main rays of hope for Portugal\'s economy, which contracted by 3.2 per cent in 2012. Unemployment has climbed to nearly 17 per cent.