Weak demand for energy resources intensifies Albanian trade deficit in February

Albania’s trade deficit stood at around 21 billion Lek (162.29 million U.S. dollar) in February, registering a year-on-year growth of 10.9 percent, according to data published by Albania’s Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) on Monday.

The figure also represents a 20 percent month-on-month increase, according to the institute.

In February 2015, the value of exports from Albania was 18 billion Lek, a year-on-year decrease of 12.3 percent and a month-on-month increase of 0.3 percent.

Exports of “mineral, fuels, electricity” decreased by 39.3 percent, compared with the same period of last year, which highlights the weak demand for energy resources from outside.

According to INSTAT, imports were valued at 39 billion lek in February, recording a year-on-year decrease of 1.1 percent and a month-on-month growth of 10 percent.

According to INSTAT, trade with countries in the euro zone accounted for 64.1 percent of the total exchanges. The main trading partners remain Italy, China, Greece and Germany. (1 U.S. dollar = 129.4 Leks)