World

Portugal Nov-Jan trade deficit widens 7.7pc

Published March 12, 2018 Updated March 12, 2018 12:16pm

The National Statistics Institute (INE) said on Monday that the trade deficit, which is for goods only, rose to 3.54 billion euros ($4.36 billion) in the period.

In January alone imports rose 12.4 percent outpacing export growth of 9.6 percent, respectively.

In November-January, exports to European Union countries, Portugal's main market, rose by almost 10 percent while imports from those countries increased by 8.3 percent. Exports outside of the European Union remained practically flat, while imports from non-EU countries rose by over 4 percent.

The country has been running a surplus in the combined trade of goods and services, which includes the booming tourism sector, helping the economic growth.

 

 

Copyright Reuters, 2018