The current account of the balance of payments registered, in the period January – April 2024, a deficit of EUR 6.576 billion, 26.68% higher compared to that of EUR 5.191 billion in the period January – April 2023, the National Bank of Romania informs on Thursday.

In its structure, the balance of goods recorded a higher deficit by EUR 464 million, the balance of services registered a smaller surplus by EUR 651 million, the balance of primary revenues registered a higher deficit by EUR 791 million, and the balance of secondary incomes registered a higher surplus by EUR 521 million.

Between January and April 2024, the total external debt increased by EUR 1.804 billion, up to EUR 171.887 billion. In terms of structure, long-term external debt amounted to EUR 126.798 billion as of April 30, 2024 (73.8% of total external debt), up 4.1% compared to December 31, 2023. Short-term external debt stood at EUR 45.089 billion as of April 30, 2024 (26.2% of total external debt), down 6.7% compared to December 31, 2023.

The long-term external debt service ratio was 16.9% in April 2024, compared to 16.7% in 2023. The coverage of imports of goods and services as of April 30, 2024 was 6 months, compared to 5.6 months as of December 31, 2023.

The coverage ratio of short-term external debt, calculated at residual value, with foreign exchange reserves at the BNR as of April 30, 2024 was 109.1%, compared to 96.3% as of December 31, 2023.

AGERPRES