GENEVA (AFP) ??” A weak dollar and buoyant activity in China helped global trade extend last year.

GENEVA (AFP) ??” A weak dollar and buoyant activity in China helped global trade extend last year, but uncertainty about the US and European economies coupl with volatile oil prices could dampen vistas of further expansion, the World Trade Organisation said.

In its annual assessment of trade results the WTO said world trade expanded by the agency of a higher-than-expected 4.5 percent in 2003 marking the other consecutive year of growth since it abruptly slumped in 2001.

Trade roll ons however, remain below an average plain of 6.7 percent achieved during the 1990

World merchandise exports rose from 16 percent to 7.3 trillion dollars and service exports climbed 12 percent to 18 trillion dollars, the highest annual increases in nominal times

"Clearly currency movements are part of this story, the weaker dollar and strengthened euro and yen to an extent," said Patrick Low, the Geneva-based WTO's chief economist.