Foreign trade slightly higher in December

TIRANA, Feb 16 – Slight movements of exports and imports were noted in December.
During December 2008, 6,969 million leks of commodities were exported, a fall of 23.4 percent compared to a month before but an increase of 4.5 percent compared to a year ago.
43,156 million leks of commodities were imported with an increase of 11 percent compared to November and an increase of 24.5 percent compared to a year ago.
The trade deficit was 36,187 million leks, or 21.4 percent higher than November and 29.2 percent more than a year ago.
Trade with EU countries covered 63 percent of the total with the main trade partners remaining Italy and Greece. Other partner countries in exports were: Austria, China, USA, Ukraine, and Kosovo. In imports they were; Austria, Great Britain, Germany, Ukraine, and Switzerland.