October 7 (SeeNews) - North Macedonia's trade deficit rose to a total of 104 billion denars ($2 billion/1.7 billion euro) in the first eight months of 2021, from 73.8 billion denars in the same period of 2020, the country's statistical office said on Thursday.
Exports increased 31.4% on the year to 281.1 billion denars in the January-August period, while imports grew 33.8% to 385.1 billion denars, Makstat said in a statement.
North Macedonia's exports mainly consisted of supported catalysts with precious metal or precious metal compounds as the active substance, ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets used in motor vehicles, aircraft or ships, and ferronickel.
The country predominantly imported metals of the platinum group and alloys, ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses and petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
North Macedonia's main trading partners in the first eight months of 2021 were Germany, the UK, Greece, Serbia and China.
(1 euro = 61.61 denars)