The Swiss economy emerged from a yearlong recession in the third quarter, the country's office for economic affairs said Tuesday.

After four consecutive quarters of negative growth Switzerland's real gross domestic product increased 0.3 percent during the July-September period from the previous quarter, the office said.

Real growth measurements eliminate the effects of inflation.

GDP for the third quarter of 2009 was still 1.3 percent below the same period last year, the economic office said.

Chief economist Aymo Brunetti said it remains to be seen whether the growth figures are sustainable, adding that continued demand for Swiss goods abroad would be key.

Exports rose 2.6 percent while imports grew by 2.2 percent during the quarter.

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