Romania trade deficit almost 456 million euro up in Q1 2008

The Romanian trade deficit rose to 17.8 billion RON (4.84 billion euro) in the first quarter of the year, 455.8 million euro more than the same period in 2007, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute on Friday. Exports in the first three months of 2008 exceeded 29.3 billion RON, while imports amounted to 47.1 billion RON.

As compared to Q1 2007, exports rose 23.4% in RON values (13.5% in euro values), while imports rose 22.1% in RON values (12.3% in euro values).

In March 2008, exports rose as compared to the same month a year ago, but were down as compared to February 2008.