Central Bank Reports Q1 Direct Investments at EUR 371.3 Mln


Sofia, May 18 (BTA) - Preliminary data released by the Bulgarian National Bank show January-March direct investment in Bulgaria (according to the directional principle) at 371.3 million euro (0.8 per cent of GDP).

They were 214.7 million euro (36.6 per cent) less than a year earlier when they stood at 586 million euro (1.3 per cent of GDP).

In March, direct investments increased by 78.6 million euro, compared to 99.6 million euro a year earlier.

The current and capital accounts were in a surplus of 458.4 million euro in March 2016, compared to a surplus of 655.2 million euro in March 2015. In the first quarter of 2016, the current and capital accounts were in a surplus of 732.8 million euro (1.6 per cent of GDP), compared to a surplus of 402.5 million euro (0.9 per cent of GDP) a year earlier.

The trade balance was in a deficit of 167.1 million euro in March 2016, compared to a deficit of 129.9 million euro in March 2015. In the first quarter of 2016, the trade balance was in a deficit of 215.6 million euro (0.5 per cent of GDP), compared to a deficit of 517 million euro (1.2 per cent of GDP) a year earlier.