Czech trade balance fell to a deficit of CZK 11.8bn in May after a revised deficit of 0.5bn in April. The result was due to a CZK 4.9bn fall in exports of the machinery and transport equipment. The surplus of trade in consumer goods diminished and the only positive fact is a lower deficit of trade in raw materials, semi-finished products and chemicals. Our forecast for the trade deficit in 2002 is still CZK 90bn.
David Marek