Albania’s trade deficit deepens in January

TIRANA, March 3 – In a clear sign of the effects of the global crisis on the Albanian economy, the Institute of Statics reported Tuesday that in January this year there were exported 6,642 million leks of commodities, which was a fall of 11.6 percent compared to a year ago and 4.5 percent less than a month ago.
There was also noted a fall of the imports, 27,796 million leks or 10.5 percent less than a year ago or 35.5 percent less than a month ago.
Consequently the trade deficit also fell to 21,154 million leks, or 10.1 percent less than a year ago or 41.5 percent less than December.
Trade with EU countries covered 69.3 percent of the total and the main trading partners remained Italy and Greece. Other partners were Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Great Britain, Bulgaria, and Sweden.