Imports exceed exports in the first nine months

At the end of the first eight months of 2008, the trade deficit widened by 9.35 percent year-on-year, up to €14.6 billion.

Computed based on the national currency, Romania’s trade deficit widened by 24.1 percent in the January-September 2008 period, to RON 61.56 bln (€16.93 bln).

Exports to countries outside the European Union were subject to the most rapid growth rate, of 27.4 percent in the first nine months of this year, up to €7.68 bln, while exports to EU members increased 14.7 percent, to €17.9 bln.

Cars and transport equipment represented more than one third (34.4 percent) of exports and 35.6 percent of imports in this year’s first nine months.

Financial analysts indicated that Romania’s economy will slow in the final months of 2008.