Albania’s trade deficit jumps 29%

TIRANA, Dec 24 – Albania’s trade deficit increased in October by 29 per cent on yearly bases, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
Imports run up to 2.9 billion euro for the ten months ending on Oct. 30, up from 2.48 billion euro of Jan-Oct 2007. Exports increased by 738 million euro, an 18 per cent increase from 2007.
The countries trade deficit was valued at 2.1 billion euro, fuelled by high imports in oil and electricity as well by the increase in imports of food.
The increased trade deficit and also increased exports derive from this year crisis in the international commodity markets.
In October, imports excise taxed goods decreased by 12.6 per cent, compared to Sept, mainly due to the shrinking prices of oil in the international markets.