Foreign trade beefs up

Romania’s foreign trade has outperformed the other European Union applicants this year, with the export level estimated to reach $13.7bn and imports projected at $17.8bn, the Development and Prognosis Ministry (MDP) reports. “The full-year growth of most EU applicants was estimated at less than 10%, based on data registered by the end of the first half, that is 8%-9% for Hungary and 5%-6% for the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria,” a preliminary report drawn up by MDP shows. According to the report, Romanian exports went up 20.3% in 2002 compared with 2001, while imports progressed 14.5%, compared with last year. On the other hand, Romania registers the lowest export value per capita of all the above-mentioned states, approximately $620. The Czech Republic registers the highest such value, nearly $3,400. Mediafax