PRELIMINARY data released by the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) indicate Slovakia's balance of payments suffered a current account deficit of Sk88.1 billion last year, a Sk55.7 billion increase from 2000. The NBS also estimated 2001 gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices at Sk967 billion, making the current account deficit 9.1 per cent of GDP.
The NBS ascribed the c/a deficit increase to a record trade shortfall of Sk103.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of Sk61.5 billion. December's monthly trade deficit, over Sk16 billion, was the highest figure reported for the year. The services balance retained a surplus of Sk20 billion, about the same result as 2000.