PRISTINA (Kosovo), March 22 (SeeNews) – Kosovo's trade deficit increased 14% year-on-year to 208.6 million euro ($237.6 million) in February, the country's statistical office said on Friday.
Exports rose by 7.4% to 24.0 million euro in February, while imports increased by 13% to 232.7 million euro, the Agency of Statistics said in a monthly economic report.
Kosovo's main export destinations in February were Albania, North Macedonia and Germany. Base metals, plastic products, mineral products as well as food, beverages and tobacco were Kosovo's main export items.
Mineral products, machines and appliances and base metals made up the bulk of Kosovo's imports in February. Most of the imports originated in Germany, Turkey, China and North Macedonia.
In October, most of Kosovo's imports originated in neighbouring Serbia. In November, the government in Pristina increased import tariffs on all goods produced in Serbia and Bosnia to 100% from 10% set earlier that month, saying the move aimed to protect Kosovo’s sovereignty and interests.
Serbia and Bosnia do not recognise the independence of Kosovo, the former southern province of Serbia populated predominantly by ethnic Albanians.
($ = 0.87768 euro)