TIRANA (Albania), February 17 (SeeNews) – Albania's trade deficit increased by 14.7% year-on-year in January, to 22 billion leks ($214.8 million/178.3 million euro), as imports rose faster than exports, the national statistical office said on Wednesday.
Exports rose 3.1% on the year to 24 billion leks in the month under review, while imports increased 8.4% to 45 billion leks, INSTAT said in a statement.
The rise in total exports was mostly due to increased exports of construction materials and metals, food, food beverages and tobacco and machinery and equipment spare parts.
Italy remained Albania's main trading partner in January, absorbing Albanian exports of 11.9 billion leks and providing imports to the country of 9.8 billion leks. Other major exporters to Albania were Spain, Kosovo and Greece.
(1 euro = 123.419 leks)