Romania’s trade deficit reaches EUR 2 bln in first quarter

Romania’s trade deficit rose to EUR 1.97 billion in the first quarter of the year, up by EUR 589 million compared to the level recorded in the first three months of 2015. The exports totaled EUR 13.84 billion, up by 3.5% over the first quarter of 2015, while the imports increase twice faster, by 7.1%, reaching EUR 18.8 billion in the first three months of the year, according to the National Statistics Institute (INS). The value of exports to EU member countries totaled EUR 10.5 billion whereas Romania imported goods of EUR 12.3 billion from other EU countries, in the first quarter of the year. The exports outside EU reached EUR 3.3 billion whereas the imports from countries outside EU amounted to EUR 3.4 billion. In March, Romania’s exports increased by 2.4%, to EUR 4.92 bln, and the imports were 5% higher than in March last year, at EUR 5.89 bln. The trade deficit in March was EUR 974 mln. Germany remains Romania’s top trading partner. Which are the others? editor@romania-insider.com