Romania’s trade deficit narrowed to EUR 9.46 billion in 2010, from EUR 9.86 billion a year earlier, the country’s statistics institute INS said Wednesday. Exports rose 28.1 percent on the year to EUR 37.2 billion in 2010, while imports were up 19.9 percent to EUR 46.7 billion.

Vehicles made up for the bulk of exports and imports in 2010, amounting to 42.4 percent of overall exports and 35.3 percent of the imports, the data showed. In December alone, Romania's trade deficit was of EUR 777.6 million, narrower from EUR 912.1 million in the year-earlier month.

Exports were at EUR 3.27 billion in December, up 39.3 percent on the year, while imports were up 24.2 percent to EUR 4.05 billion. Exports are calculated exclusive of costs, insurance and freight fees, but imports are calculated including such costs.

Mediafax