SOFIA: Bulgaria posted a current account surplus of 1.8 percent of gross domestic product in the first eleven months compared with a surplus of 2.0 percent in the same period a year earlier, as imports pick up, central bank data showed on Monday.

Imports increased by 2.1 percent in November, compared with a drop of 2.2 percent in the same period a year ago, the data showed.

For November alone, the current account was in a deficit of 290 million euros ($315.96 million), compared to a deficit of 86 million euros in the same period a year ago.

Foreign direct investment, much needed to spur growth in the European Union's poorest member state, was 1.46 billion euros, up from 1.22 billion euros in the same period a year ago.

The government sees the current account posting a surplus of 2.1 percent in 2015, up from 1.2 percent surplus in 2014. It forecast the current account surplus to ease to 1.8 percent this year. ($1 = 0.9179 euros)

Copyright Reuters, 2016