Greece's current account deficit was EUR4.73 billion in the January-August period, the central bank said Friday.

This is slightly wider than EUR4.34 billion in the same period of last year.

In August alone, the current account showed a surplus of EUR1.046 billion, reflecting "a decrease in the trade deficit, an increase in the services surplus and a rise in the transfers surplus," the bank said. August 2002 saw a current account surplus of EUR570.60 million.

The trade balance was little changed, showing a deficit of EUR14.68 billion in January-August, compared with EUR14.65 billion in the same period last year.

Balance of payments in euros

Jan-Aug 03 Jan-Aug 02
Exports 7.20 Bln 6.84 Bln
Imports 21.88 Bln 21.50 Bln
Trade Balance -14.68 Bln -14.65 Bln