Banks, Financial Services, Foreign trade , Investments, Lithuania

The foreign trade deficit amounted to EUR 165 million in the reference period, an increase of EUR 25.9 million month-on-month. Export and import of goods grew by 13% and 13.4% respectively. In January-February 2015, the balance of trade deficit widened by EUR 132.2 million year-on-year. Export of goods contracted by 7%, import of goods – 2.9% in the reference period.

The balance of services posted a surplus of EUR 103.3 million, narrowing by EUR 48.1 million month-on-month. In February 2015, export of services contracted by 6.8%, while import of services grew by 6.4% month-on-month.

The overall balance of primary income, as in January, continued to be in surplus (EUR 22 million). The build-up of the surplus was due to the positive balance of other primary income (EUR 110.8 million).

The surplus on the balance of secondary income amounted to EUR 11.6 million and EUR 26.4 million in January. In January-February 2015, the surplus on the secondary income balance narrowed by EUR 101.9 million, or 3.7 times year-on-year. Transfers from European Union (EU) support funds amounted to EUR 21.9 million, while Lithuania's calculated contributions (the Union's own resources based on VAT and gross national income) to the EU budget – EUR 72.7 million. Private individual remittances from abroad amounted to EUR 92.2 million, while personal transfers from Lithuania – EUR 34.4 million.

The surplus on the capital account balance (EUR 38.1 million) built up due to capital transfers received for financing investment projects.

The positive flow of net investment (EUR 21.8 million) (excluding official reserve assets) in the financial account was due to the positive net flows of direct investment (EUR 298.4 million) and portfolio investment (EUR 157.8 million). Net direct investment posted an increase as a result of an increase in the acquisitions of financial assets abroad (EUR 161.7 million) and a decline in the liabilities to non-residents (-EUR 136.7 million).

Net portfolio investment boosted (EUR 157.8 million) due to investment in non-residents' equity and debt instruments. Net other investment declined (-EUR 430.7 million) due to the liabilities to non-residents (EUR 786.7 million) outpacing the acquisitions of financial assets abroad (EUR 356 million).