Higher Exports In April

TIRANA, June 2 – The Institute of Statistics reported Monday that during April of this year there were 10,238 million leks of commodities exported, with an increase of 11.5 percent compared to a month ago and 29.2 percent higher compared to a year ago.
Imports were 34,892 million leks in commodities with an increase of 14.5 percent compared to the same month a year ago and 5.1 percent more than a month ago.
In April 2008 the trade deficit was 24,654 million leks, or 2.7 percent more than a month ago and 9.3 percent more than a year ago.
Trade with the EU countries made up 66.6 percent of the total while the country’s main trade partners remained Italy and Greece. Exports with Italy were 58.8 percent of the total and imports were 27.5 percent, while exports with Greece were 13 percent and imports totaled 15.5 percent.
Other important partner countries were, for exports, Austria, Greece, China, Macedonia, Spain, and for imports, Austria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and Switzerland.
The export of “minerals, fuels, and electricity” doubled, “Construction materials and metals” increased 17.8 percent; and “Machinery, equipment, spare parts” increased 3.4 percent; while exports of “Chemical and plastic products” decreased 14.6 percent.
Import of “Minerals, fuels, electricity” increased 62.3 percent; “Leather and leather manufactures” increased 24.2 percent; and “Machinery, equipment, spare parts” increased 2.9 percent. The importing of “Textile and footwear” decreased 5.4 percent.