INSTANT VIEW 1-Slovakia posts trade deficit in Feb

...a revised surplus of 4.88 billion crowns 
in Janaury, the Statistics Office said on Wednesday. 
     
KEY POINTS: 
FOREIGN TRADE         FEB 07    JAN 07    FEB 06    JAN-DEC 06 
 (SKK bln) 
 Balance              -2.054    +4.881   -10.409      -93.100 
 (Full table of data.......................[ID:nPRG000304]) 
 
- The market had predicted a trade surplus of 2.0 billion crowns 
in February, according to a Reuters poll of analysts. 
- The Statistics Office did not release a detailed breakdown of 
February trade data. 
- The January balance was revised from a previously reported 
surplus of 3.98 billion crowns. 
 
BACKGROUND: 
- Slovakia's foreign trade deficit widened in 2006, mainly due 
to rising imports of equipment needed for investment projects 
such as car factories being built by PSA Peugeot Citroen 
 and Kia Motors . 
- But the external balance is expected to improve in 2007 when 
the two car assembly plants are scheduled to boost their 
export-oriented production. 
 
LINKS 
- For further details on February foreign trade and other 
past data, Reuters 3000 Xtra users can click on the Slovak 
Statistics Office's website: 
    http://wwww.statistics.sk/webdata/english/index2_a.htm 
 
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