The cumulative foreign trade deficit reached 30.1 bn Sk at the end of May, growing by 4.3 bn Sk in that month, compared to 10 bn Sk in April. The Economy Ministry's State Secretary, Ján Foltín, attributed the relatively low monthly deficit to the import deposits, while admitting on the other hand that the high April deficit was most likely owed to announcing the measure one week in advance.
"If the deficit stays on the May level in next months, I will be content," Foltín said. The replacement of import deposits by import surcharge was not decided at the latest meeting of economic ministers. "The final decision will be made after the July 9 meeting with the EU representatives," Foltín said.
