INSTANT VIEW-Slovak Nov trade gap widens to SKK 9.25 bln

    Slovakia's foreign trade 
balance showed a deficit of 9.25 billion crowns in November, 
compared with a revised gap of 5.48 billion crowns in October, 
the Statistics Office said on Thursday. 
 
KEY POINTS: 
FOREIGN TRADE         NOV 06    OCT 06    NOV 05    JAN-DEC 05 
 (SKK bln) 
 Balance              -9.251    -5.478    -4.092     -76.322 
 (Full table of data...........................[ID:nPRG000196]) 
 
- The market had predicted a trade deficit of 2.3 billion crowns 
in November, according to a Reuters poll of analysts. 
- The Statistics Office did not release a more detailed 
breakdown of November trade data. 
- The October balance was revised from a previously reported 
shortfall of 4.98 billion crowns. 
 
BACKGROUND: 
- Slovakia's foreign trade deficit had widened in 2006, mainly 
due to rising imports of equipment needed for investment 
projects such as car factories being build by PSA Peugeot 
Citroen  and Kia Motors . 
- But the external balance is expected to improve the in 2007 
when the two plants are scheduled to boost their export-oriented 
production. 
 
LINKS 
- For further details on November 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 
 
- For LIVE Slovak economic data releases, click on...... 
- Schedule of upcoming indicator releases............ 
- Summary of short-term economic data forecasts...... 
 
- Stories on Slovak currency moves........................[SKK/] 
- Slovak speed money guide .............................. 
- Slovak benchmark state bond prices ................. 
- Slovak forward money market rates .................... 
 

[BRATISLAVA/Reuters/Finance.cz]