In January 2023, the current account of the balance of payments recorded a deficit of 949 million euros against 1,138 million euros in January 2022, according to data provided on Thursday by the National Bank.

National Bank of Romania – BNRPhoto: Hotnews / Florin Barbuta

In its structure, the balance of goods recorded a deficit of more than EUR 262 million, the balance of services recorded a surplus of EUR 522 million, and the balance of primary income recorded a deficit of EUR 100 million against a surplus of EUR 90 million. euros, and the balance of secondary income recorded a surplus higher by 119 million euros.

Direct investment by non-residents in Romania amounted to €1,176 million (compared to €872 million in January 2022), of which equity (including estimated net reinvested earnings) accounted for a net value of €919 million and intra-group loans recorded a net value of €257 million .

In January 2023, the total foreign debt increased by 7,514 million euros. According to the structure:

  • long-term external debt as of January 31, 2023 was 104,696 million euros (69.7% of the total external debt), having increased by 7.2% compared to December 31, 2022;
  • the short-term external debt recorded 45,539 million euros as of January 31, 2023 (30.3% of the total external debt), having increased by 1.1% compared to December 31, 2022.

Coverage of imports of goods and services as of January 31, 2023 was 5.2 months against 4.4 months as of December 31, 2022.