Imports Increase 28.71 Percent To $67 Billion

ANKARA - Imports increased 28.71 percent to 66 billion 877 million U.S. dollars in 2003 over to figures of the previous year.
According to data of the Customs Undersecretariat, exports from Turkey rose 26.31 percent to 45 billion 768 million U.S. dollars in 2003.
Foreign trade deficit increased 34.24 percent to 21 billion 108 million, and the rate of exports meeting imports became 68.44 percent.
In 2002, imports were 51 billion 960 million U.S. dollars, exports were 36 billion 236 million U.S. dollars, and foreign trade deficit was 15 billion 724 million U.S. dollars.
Meanwhile, exports increased 43.69 percent to 4 billion 367 million U.S. dollars, and imports rose by 34.48 percent to 7 billion 714 million U.S. dollars in December of 2003.
Foreign trade deficit climbed 24.05 percent to 3 billion 347 million U.S. dollars while rate of exports meeting imports became 56.61 percent.
The realizations in foreign trade figures in 2003 according to the Customs Undersecretariat data are as follows: (million U.S. dollars)

. 2002 2003 2002-2003
. Dec Jan-Dec Dec Jan-Dec Difference (percent)
. ------- ------- ------- ------- --------------------
Exports 3.039 36.236 4.367 45.768 26.31
Imports 5.736 51.960 7.714 66.877 28.71
Deficit 2.698 15.724 3.347 21.108 34.24
Rate of
Meeting (%) 52,97 69,74 56,61 68,44 -

(UK) 01.02.2004