February 16 (SeeNews) - Albania's trade deficit narrowed by 19.4% year-on-year in January, to 16 billion leks ($147.9 million/138.5 million), the national statistical office said on Thursday.
Exports rose by 20.2% on the year to 42 billion leks in January, while imports increased by 5.8% to 58 billion leks, INSTAT said in a statement.
The rise in total exports was mostly due to higher exports of minerals, fuels, electricity textile, footwear, machinery, equipment and spare parts.
Italy remained Albania's main trading partner in January, absorbing Albanian exports of 15.7 billion leks and providing imports of 11.8 billion leks to the country.
In 2022, Albania's trade deficit widened by 7.3 % year-on-year to 464 billion leks.
(1 euro = 115.541 leks)