Algeria's trade surplus up on higher energy earnings

Higher world oil prices pushed Algeria's trade surplus up to $14.80 billion in the first 11 months of 2010 from $4.70 billion in the same period last year, official figures showed on Saturday. Exports were up 26.8 percent to $51.27 billion from $40.44 billion in January-November 2009, while imports were up 1.9 percent to $36.43 billion versus $35.76 billion in the first 11 months of last year, the official APS news agency reported, citing customs data.
The value of oil and gas sales abroad, which accounted for 97.16 percent of total exports, rose 26.24 percent to $49.80 billion, it said.