October 3 (SeeNews) - Macedonia's trade deficit for the first eight months of 2007 rose by 4.1% on the year to a preliminary $921.7 million (650.1 million euro), the State Statistics Office said on Wednesday.
The country's exports through August increased by an annual 41.8 % and imports rose by 27.5%, the office said in a statement.
In August alone, exports totalled $268.1 million, down 0.5% from the previous month and 24.5% higher on the year. Imports were $363.7 million, 19% down from July and 14.9% higher than in August 2006.
Macedonia's trade balance (in millions of U.S. dollars):
|
|
Jan-August’07 |
Jan-August'06 |
| Exports |
2,105.5 |
1,483.8 |
| Imports |
3,027.2 |
2,369.4 |
| Balance |
-921.7 |
-885.6 |
The ex-Yugoslav state of nearly two million people exports mainly manufactured goods, liquor, wine and tobacco. Imports include mainly manufactured goods, fuels and lubricants, machines and motor vehicles.
Macedonia exports mainly to the European Union member states and the countries of the Western Balkans, while imports come mostly from the EU and developing countries.
($= 0.7053 euro)