The Dutch economy grew by 0.2% in the third quarter of the year, the national statistics office said on Friday in a preliminary assessment.

The figures show the economic recovery is continuing but remains fragile, economic affairs minister Henk Kamp said in a reaction.

The economy grew 0.6% in the second quarter. The growth is mainly due to an increase in exports – particularly machinery – by Dutch firms, the CBS said.

The CBS also said unemployment fell for the second quarter in a row in the period July to September.

Corrected for seasonal influences, the number of people officially without work was down 37,000 at 635,000. People aged 25 to 45 accounted for most of the decline.