Czech Trade Surplus Falls In February

4/06/2011

 (RTTNews) - The Czech Republic's trade surplus decreased in February, official data showed Wednesday.
The trade surplus dropped to CZK 13.75 billion from an upwardly revised CZK 17.45 billion in January, the Czech Statistical Office reported. January's excess was originally reported as CZK 15.69 billion. The trade surplus was CZK 14.68 billion in the same month last year.
Exports increased at a slower annual pace in February. Shipments grew 18.4 percent year-on-year compared to 28.5 percent in the previous month. The increase was the smallest since October. Imports increased 20.5 percent after rising 29.9 percent in January.
The imports growth rate surpassed the exports growth rate for the twelfth successive month, the agency said. The results were influenced by a low comparative base of February 2010, it added.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports dropped 2.1 percent from the previous month, following increases in the previous two months. Imports fell 2.3 percent.
Between January-February, the trade surplus was CZK 31.2 billion, up CZK 1.2 billion over the comparable period last year. Exports grew 23.3 percent, while imports increased 25.1 percent.