Dutch exports were up 4.7% in April compared with the year earlier period, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.

Machinery and equipment exports were the main driver of the growth, as well as rubber and plastic goods.

Retail sales were also up in April, as the improvement in consumer confidence led people to start spending again.

April’s 1.5% rise in retail sales was the fifth month of improvements in a row, although price rises were not as strong as in previous months, the CBS said.