December 10 (SeeNews) - Macedonia's trade deficit for the first 10 months of 2007 increased by 32.1% on the year to a preliminary $1.371 billion (935.4 million euro), the State Statistics Office said on Monday.
The country's exports through October increased by an annual 39.3% and imports rose by 36.4%, the office said in a statement.
In October alone, exports totalled $307.1 million, up 13.7% from the previous month and 31.5% higher on the year. Imports totalled $612.4 million, 43.9% up from September and 84.9% higher than in October 2006.
Macedonia's trade balance (in millions of U.S. dollars):
|
|
Jan-Oct'07 |
Jan-Oct'06 |
y/y pct change |
| Exports |
2,740.095 |
1,967.96 |
+39.3 |
| Imports |
4,111.56 |
3,006.15 |
+36.4 |
| Balance |
-1,371.46 |
-1,038.19 |
+32.1 |
The ex-Yugoslav state of nearly two million people exports mainly manufactured goods, liquor, wine and tobacco. Imports include mainly manufactured goods, fuels and lubricants, machines and motor vehicles.
Macedonia's biggest foreign markets are the European Union member states and the Western Balkans, while most imports originate in the EU and developing countries.
($= 0.6823 euro)