PRISTINA (Kosovo), April 24 (SeeNews) – Kosovo's trade deficit increased 13.4% year-on-year to 259.6 million euro ($291.6 million) in March, the country's statistical office said on Wednesday.
Exports rose by 11.8% to 29.5 million euro in March, while imports increased by 13.2% to 289.1 million euro, the Agency of Statistics said in a monthly economic report.
Kosovo's main export destinations in March were Albania, North Macedonia and Germany. Base metals, plastic products, mineral products as well as food, beverages and tobacco were Kosovo's main export items.
Mineral products, base metals and food, beverages and tobacco made up the bulk of Kosovo's imports in March. Most of the imports originated in Germany, Turkey, China, North Macedonia and Albania.
In October, most of Kosovo's imports originated in neighbouring Serbia. In November, the government in Pristina increased import tariffs on all goods produced in Serbia and Bosnia to 100% from 10% set earlier that month, saying the move aimed to protect Kosovo’s sovereignty and interests.
Serbia and Bosnia do not recognise the independence of Kosovo, the former southern province of Serbia populated predominantly by ethnic Albanians.
($ = 0.89010 euro)