Trade deficit in Bulgaria

Bulgarian trade deficit reached 6.06 billion leva in the end of May 2007, compared to 4.34 billion for the same period of 2006, says a National Statistical Institute survey (NSI).

The increase on an annual base is 39.6 per cent, investor.bg reported.

In May alone, the total trade deficit was 1.34 billion leva, the highest registered value since the beginning of 2007.

Exports reached 9.71 billion leva, a 6.7 per cent growth on annual base. Imports grew to 15.76 billion leva, compared to 13.44 billion leva a year ago. This is an increase of 17.3 per cent.

Trade balance for the first five months of 2007 is negative, with a total of 5.22 billion leva.

EU countries hold the leading position in Bulgaria's foreign trade, with 62.7 per cent coming from the country's exports and 60.2 per cent from imports.

Total exports to non-EU countries in the end of May were 3.62 billion leva, and imported goods from non-EU countries totaled 6.28 billion leva.

Source: Sofia Echo