January 17 (SeeNews) - Albania's trade deficit widened by 29.6% year-on-year in 2021, to 432 billion leks ($4 billion/3.5 billion euro), the national statistical office said on Monday.
Exports rose by 35.6% on the year to 369 billion leks in 2021, while imports increased by 32.3% to 801 billion leks, INSTAT said in a statement.
The rise in total exports was mostly due to higher exports of construction materials, metals, minerals, fuels, electricity, textile and footwear.
In December alone, Albania's trade deficit amounted to 56 billion leks, up 46.1% year-on-year.
Italy remained Albania's main trading partner last year, absorbing Albanian exports of 155.8 billion leks and providing imports of 194.4 billion leks to the country.
(1 euro = 122.308 leks)