Balance of payments: JANUARY 2003
17/03/2003 - Press Releases
Current account balance
In January 2003, the current account balance recorded a €1,284
million deficit, €326 million higher than in January 2001. This increase resulted mainly
from the widening of the trade deficit and the narrowing of the transfers surplus, while
the income account deficit also grew. There was little change in the services surplus.
In particular, the widening of the trade deficit was mainly accounted
for by the considerable rise in the net oil import bill. By contrast, the non-oil trade
deficit was reduced, since the decrease in export receipts was more than offset by the
decline in the import bill. There was no significant change in the services surplus, as
there was a small drop in net receipts from travel and other services, and a small rise in
net transport receipts. The income account deficit increased because of the rise in net
payments for interest, dividends and profits. Finally, the narrowing of the transfers
surplus reflects the fall in net receipts of general government (mainly net receipts from
the EU).
Financial account balance
In January 2003, residents' direct investment abroad came to €229
million, of which €197 million regard the participation of the Hellenic
Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) in the capital increase of ROMTELECOM in Romania.
Under portfolio investment, a net inflow of €1,189 million was recorded, mainly
reflecting the inflow of non-residents' funds for the purchase of Greek bonds. As regards
"other investment", a net outflow of €376 million was recorded, connected
mainly to the increase in deposits and repo holdings abroad by residents.
At end-January 2003, Greece’s reserve assets came to €8.4 billion.
(It should be recalled that, since Greece joined the euro area in January 2001, reserve
assets, as defined by the European Central Bank, include only monetary gold, the
"reserve position" at the IMF, "Special Drawing Rights", and Bank of
Greece's claims in foreign currency on residents of non-euro area countries. Conversely,
reserve assets do not include claims in euro on residents of non-euro area countries,
claims in foreign currency and in euro on residents of euro area countries, and the Bank
of Greece participation in the capital and the reserve assets of the ECB.)
Note: Balance of payment data for February 2003 will be released on 14
April 2003.