IMPORT RISES BY 1.7, EXPORT BY 21.3 PERCENT IN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS

ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - Croatia's export in this year's first seven months totalled $2.59 billion, which is 1.7 percent than at the same time last year. Import, however, rose by 21.3 percent, reaching $5.33 billion, according to State Bureau of Statistics temporary data. The trade deficit has thus reached $2.74 billion, while export covers import with only 48.6 percent. European Union countries remain Croatia's most significant trade partners. In this year's first seven months, export there totalled $1.4 billion, which is 3.7 percent less than at the same time in 2000, while import increased by 20.9 percent, reaching $2.9 billion. A deficit increase was also recorded in trade with Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) countries, with Croatia's export there in this year's first seven months dropping by 6.4 percent, to $320 million, whereas import rose by 25.8 percent, reaching $836 million. Trade increased with two neighbours, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Yugoslavia. In this year's first seven months, Croatia's export to Bosnia rose by 11.5 percent, amounting to $299 million, while import rose by 58.1 percent, to approximately $70 million. Export to Yugoslavia rose by 87.9 percent, amounting to $89 million, while import rose by 80 percent, to $23 million. (hina) ha