CROATIA'S FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT USD 1.85 BILLION

ZAGREB, July 3 (Hina) - Croatia's exports in the first five months of 2001 amounted to USD 1.81 billion while imports amounted to twice as much - USD 3.67 billion, which sets Croatia's foreign trade debt in the said period at USD 1.85 billion. The export/import ratio was 49.5 percent. Compared to the same period last year, exports increased by 1.4 percent while imports rose by 26.6 percent. According to the national classification of industrial branches, manufacturing industry accounted for the largest part of the export - USD 1.72 billion or 0.6 percent less than last year. Compared to the first five months last year, the export of electricity, gas and water increased by 214.5 percent to USD 6.8 billion. Manufacturing industry accounts for the largest part of the imports as well - USD 3.09 billion, while the highest import increase of 52.1 percent (5.8 million dollars) was registered in real estate transactions, leasing and business services. According to the standard international trade classification, clothing accounted for most exports in the said period - 199.5 million dollars or 6.4% more than in the same period last year, whereas road vehicles accounted for most imports - 467.2 million dollars or 69.7% more than last year. As in previous periods, Croatia's main trade partner were European Union countries, where it exported goods worth 982.8 million dollars and from where it imported goods worth USD 2.02 billion. Compared to the same period last year, exports dropped by 1.7 percent while imports rose by 26.7 percent. The most important trade partners in the said period were Italy, Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina. (hina) rml