October 1 (SeeNews) - Kosovo’s August trade deficit narrowed by 2.9% year-on-year to 160.21 million euro ($233.7 million) as exports recorded an annual rise for the first time this year, while imports continued falling, the Kosovo Statistics Office said on Thursday.
Kosovo's July trade deficit was 155.65 million euro, up by 0.62% from a year earlier. In August 2008 the trade deficit was 165 million euro, up by 21.5% on the year.
The European Union was Kosovo's main foreign market in August 2009. Exports to the EU accounted for 51.9% of the total. Italy was Kosovo's main export destination with a 34% share.
Kosovo's imports originated mainly in the EU, which had a 37.4% share of the total, followed by Macedonia with a 17.7% share.
KOSOVO AUGUST TRADE BALANCE (in millions of euro):
|
August'09 |
August'08 |
y/y pct change |
Exports |
15.37 |
14.65 |
+4.9 |
Imports |
175.58 |
179.61 |
-2.2 |
Balance |
-160.21 |
-164.96 |
-2.9 |
($=0.6856 euro)