TIRANA, Sept. 17/ATA/In the first eight months of 2021, exports of goods reached ALL 232 billion marking an increase of 37.3%, while imports of goods reached ALL 487 billion, increasing by 29.3% compared to a year ago.
According to INSTAT report on foreign trade, the trade deficit reached ALL 254 billion marking an increase of 22.8% compared to the same period of 2020.
In the 8-month period of 2021, exports are estimated at about ALL 32 billion higher than in the same period of 2019, the period before the pandemic.
INSTAT reported that, the largest contribution to the annual growth of exports was provided by the group “construction materials and metals” with 14.2%, “minerals, fuels and electricity” with 11.8% and “textiles and footwear” with 3.8%.
Meanwhile, the group with a positive impact on the annual growth of imports, are “machinery, equipment and spare parts” with 8.5%, “construction materials and metals” with 4.8%, “chemical and plastic products” with 4.1% .
During the 8-month period of 2021, the countries with the largest increase in exports, compared to a year ago, are Italy with 24.9%, Kosovo with 55.3% and Spain with 35%. While the countries with the largest decline in exports, are Ukraine with 28.5% and Russia with 36.5%.
According to INSTAT, the countries with the largest increase in imports, compared to a year ago, are Italy with 31.4%, Turkey with 48.2% and China with 27.3%. While the countries with the largest decrease in imports are Russia with 8.4%, Switzerland with 25.6% and Ukraine with 15.8%. //a.i/
