ZAGREB, Jan 8 (Hina) - In the first 11 months of 2002 Croatia exported USD4.42 billion worth of goods, which is 3.5% more than in the same period the year before. Imports totalled USD9.76 billion, which is as much as 15.3% more than
in the same period of 2001, the Bureau of Statistics stated in a report with temporary data.
ZAGREB, Jan 8 (Hina) - In the first 11 months of 2002 Croatia
exported USD4.42 billion worth of goods, which is 3.5% more than in
the same period the year before. Imports totalled USD9.76 billion,
which is as much as 15.3% more than in the same period of 2001, the
Bureau of Statistics stated in a report with temporary data. #L#
The mildly increased exports and significantly higher imports have
resulted in an increase in the foreign trade deficit, which
exceeded the limit of five billion dollars. In the first eleven
months of 2002, the foreign trade deficit totalled 5.33 billion
dollars, which is 27.2% more than in the same period the year
before.
The statistics also point to a further decrease in the export-
import ratio, which sank to a mere 45.3%.
The export-import ratio sank to 41.3% last November alone. Croatia
exported USD391 million and imported USD946 million worth of goods
in November.
The manufacturing industry accounted for the largest share of
exports, which in last year's first 11 months totalled 4.2 billion
dollars, an increase of 3.9% compared to the same period of 2001.
However, imports in the manufacturing industry rose by 18.2%, to
USD8.44 billion.
Some major export branches saw a drop in exports as well. The export
of other transport vehicles, including ships, totalled 534.77
million dollars, which is 16.7% less than in the first 11 months of
2001.
The coke and oil industry saw a 9.1% drop in exports (USD340.17
million), while the export of electrical machines and appliances
dropped by 4.1% to USD178.8 million. Textile and leather industry
exports dropped by 1 and 1.1% respectively.
Some industrial branches saw much higher export growth rates than
expected. The export of radio and TV sets and communication
equipment increased by as much as 50.4%, totalling USD201.55
million, while the publishing and printing industries saw an
increase in exports of 23.8%, totalling 37.4 million dollars. The
export of food and drinks totalled 335.5 million dollars or 22.2%
more than in the same period the year before.
Significantly higher imports and a drastic fall in exports was
reported in power, gas and hot water supply industries. Imports in
these segments of industry rose by 22.5%, totalling 106.4 million
dollars, while exports dropped by as much as 69.6% totalling a mere
2.1 million dollars.
Croatia's most important partners were Italy (export 1.03 billion,
import 1.7 billion), Germany (export 546.3 million, import 1.57
billion) and Austria (export 337.7 million, import 653.77
million).
Croatia exported products worth 543.7 million dollars (an increase
of 4.4.%) to the CEFTA countries, while imports from those
countries totalled USD1.57 billion or 25.6% more than in the same
period in 2001.
Surplus was reported in trade with Bosnia-Herzegovina (exports
grew by 24.1% to 644.7 million dollars, while imports rose by 29.2%
to 151.1 million) and Yugoslavia (exports grew by 14.9% to USD157.1
million, while imports rose by 35.4% to USD48.7 million).
(hina) rml