Romania's trade deficit was of EUR 462 million in January, an 82 percent year-on-year hike, as imports rose more rapidly than exports. Exports stood at EUR 3.4 billion in January this year, according to preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute, while imports were at EUR 3.9 billion.

Exports were up by 2.9 percent in RON compared to January 2011, while imports increased by 9.9 percent. The month-on-month evolution pointed to a 5.8 percent growth in exports in January 2012 and a 9.3 percent drop in imports.

Last year, Romania exported EUR 45 billion worth of products and services – 20.5 percent more than the year before. Its imports were of EUR 54.7 billion – 16.7 percent higher than in 2010, triggering a trade deficit of EUR 9.7 billion – close to the 2010 figure.

editor@romania-insider.com