Balance-of-trade deficit rose to US$1.25bn

In July, Moldova imported goods to the value of US$314 million and exported goods worth US$118.6 million. The balance-of-trade deficit increased to US$1.25 billion, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the National Bureau of Statistics. Exports over January-July totaled US$739.6 million, up 6.9% compared with the corresponding period last year. Exports to the EU came to US$364.7 million, making up 49.3% of the exports, as against 54.4% in January-July 2009. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) accounted for 37.9% of Moldova's exports. Exports to these countries added up to US$280.3 million, an increase of 13.9%. The exports of manufactured articles (clothes, accessories, footwear, furniture) constituted 26.6% of the total exports, of food products – 18.8%, of beverages and tobacco products – 15.2%. Moldova also exports transport equipment, non-edible raw material, seeds, etc. The January-July imports were US$1.990,1 billion. Imports to the EU made up 44.9%, while to the CIS – 31.5%. Imports from China in the period grew by 30.8%, from Romania – by 21.5%, from Greece – 2.3 times. Imports of vehicles and transport equipment made up 20.5% of the total imports, of mineral fuel, lubricants and derivative products - 20.3%, of food products and live animals – 11.3%