Exports went down 3.6%, imports went up 17.5% in 2006

The volume of exports in 2006 decreased by 3.6%, compared to 2005, totalling USD 1.051 bln, data of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce show. CIS countries contributed 40.3% of Moldova’s exports in 2006, compared to 50.5 % in 2005. The amount of exports to the EU, on the other hand, rose by 13.6%, representing 35% of the total (29.7% in 2005). Exports to countries of Central and Eastern Europe grew by 43.1%, which influenced the increase in the portion of this group from 11.1% in 2005 to 16.5% in 2006. In 2006, the volume of imports constituted USD 2.693 bln, by 17.5% more than in 2005. Imports of goods from CIS countries rose by 12.8%, compared to 2005, covering 37.9% of the total (39.5% in 2005). Imports from the EU increased by 11.3%, representing 31.1% of the total (32.8% in 2005). Imports from countries of the Central and Eastern Europe registered an essential increase – 32.4% which influenced the increase of their share in the structure of imports from 12.8% in 2005 to 14.4% in 2006. The considerable gap in exports and imports determined a deficit of the trade balance of USD 1.641 bln in 2006, by USD 440.6 mln (+36.7%) more compared to the previous year. This situation is attested in the trade balance with CIS countries (-USD 596.7 mil. USD), the greatest deficit being registered with Ukraine (- USD 387.7 mln) and the Russian Federation (- USD 235.0 mln). The trade balance with the EU member states is also negative (-USD 469.5 mln), as well as with the countries of the Central and Eastern Europe (- USD 213.5 mln). The degree of covering imports with exports in 2006 was of 39% compared to 47.6% in 2005.