Strong exports of gaming services and tourism helped drive Macau’s gross domestic product (GDP) to an almost double-digit percentage growth in the first three months of 2018.

On Wednesday, Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) announced that the city state’s economy has expanded by 9.2 percent in January to March 31, 2018 period, higher than the 8 percent growth recorded in the previous quarter.

Macau’s economy remained dependent on gaming and tourism business as reflected on the 16 percent growth of its total exports of services, which is comprised of gaming services and tourism services.

“Exports of services performed satisfactorily and became the major driving force for economic growth,” DSEC said in a statement.