PRAGUE, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The Czech foreign trade balance showed a 2.1 billion crown ($94.68 million) deficit in August, almost exactly matching market expectations, as high global crude oil and gas prices inflated imports. KEY POINTS: (in bln CZK) Aug July Aug fcast balance -2.07 -1.22 -2.3 (nominal y/y change in pct) exports 8.9 14.4 n/a imports 7.1 14.8 n/a (For full table of trade data, click on........[ID:nPRA000960]) - According to seasonally-adjusted preliminary data, exports drop 1.4 percent percent in August from July while imports rise 4.5 percent month-on-month. - The headline trade balance deficit narrows by 2.4 billion crowns over the same month a year ago. But the statistics bureau points out that the August 2005 balance reflected a one-off import of Jas-Gripen fighter jets worth 5.9 billion crowns. - In euro terms, exports rise by 14.3 percent and imports by 12.4 percent year-on-year in August, outpacing the growth rates in local currency terms because of a firming in the crown. BACKGROUND: - Market expectations before release [ID:nL03199349] - Slovak July trade figures [ID:nL11388867] - Polish trade in July [ID:nL12785297] - Hungary's July trade data [ID:nL08073722] - Report on last Czech c.bank rate decision [ID:nL27342627] [ID:nL27365976] - For further details on August foreign trade and other past data, Reuters 3000 Xtra users can click on the Czech Statistical Bureau's website: http://www.czso.cz/eng/csu.nsf/kalendar/2004-vzo - For LIVE Czech economic data releases, click on <ECONCZ> - Instant Views on other Czech data click on [CZ/INSTANT] - Overview of Czech macroeconomic indicators [CZ/ECI] - Key data releases in central Europe [CEE-CONVERGENCE-WATCH] - For Czech money markets data click on <CZKVIEW> - Czech money guide <CZK/1> - Czech benchmark state bond prices <0#CZBMK=> - Czech forward money market rates <CZKFRA> ((Writing by Marek Petrus; Editing by Alan Crosby; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420 224 190 477)) ($1=22.18 Czech Crown) Keywords: ECONOMY CZECH TRADE