THE FIRMS in the Slovak metallurgical industry reported sales of Sk33.7 billion (€843 million) in the first four months of the year, which is comparable to the previous year's figures, the private news agency SITA reported.
The companies' exports reached Sk27.3 billion (€683 million) during this period, an annual increase of 2.3 percent. Imports, however, soared by 25.3 percent annually, to Sk15.4 billion (€385 million).
At the end of April there were 52 metallurgical companies with over 20 employees in Slovakia, according to the Economy Ministry, which compared to the same period last year was an increase by eight companies.