TIRANA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- "Made in Albania" exports marked a positive performance in the first eight months of 2017, however, the growth was insufficient to curb Albania's trade deficit which went up by 1.6 percent on annual terms, official statistics showed Tuesday.
According to a statement from the state statistical office, trade deficit in the first eight months reached at 223 billion leks (1.99 billion U.S. dollars).
On monthly basis, Albania's trade deficit mounted to 31 billion leks in August, 2.8 percent higher than in August last year and 2.5 percent higher than in the previous month, data showed.
Italy remained Albania's main trading partner in the first eight months of 2017, absorbing 61.5 percent of Albania's exports and providing 38.5 percent of imports. Other major importers into Albania were Spain, Greece and Germany.
Albania exported mainly construction materials and metals, textile and footwear, food, drinks and tobacco. Enditem
