World

Algeria's trade deficit drops in Jan-Feb 2018

Published March 21, 2018 Updated March 21, 2018 10:41am

The decline of more than 50 percent is mainly due to a rise in energy earnings as oil prices have risen. Oil and gas exports were up 25 percent to $7.1 billion in January and February, in comparison with $5.67 billion in the same period last year, the customs data showed.

OPEC member Algeria relies heavily on oil and gas, which account for 60 percent of the budget and 95 percent of total export revenues.

The recent recovery of oil revenues has provided some relief for a government that saw its revenues badly hit by the crash of hydrocarbon prices after mid-2014.

Imports were down 10 percent to $7.2 billion, versus $8 billion in the same period last year.

 

Copyright Reuters, 2018