<div id="subtitle">Ports of LA, Long Beach post rise in December trade activities</div><div><p>The nation's largest port complex is reporting an increase in trade activities last month.</p><p>The Port of Long Beach said Thursday imported cargo containers increased by more than 13 percent in December from the same period in 2008. Exports jumped by more than 30 percent.</p><p>Shipping terminals also moved about 8.7 percent more containers than the previous year, marking the first gain since December 2007. The Port of Los Angeles reported exports went up by 40 percent.</p><p>Port officials say the numbers may be the first signs of an economic recovery.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66916936&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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