The positive balance was due to a narrower trade deficit and an increase in the services surplus.
The services segment registered a surplus of EUR1.48 billion in January-July 2013, compared with just EUR18 million in the same period of last year. The trade deficit shrank by EUR2.2 billion year-on-year, to EUR1.84 billion, the data showed.
Foreign direct investments were estimated at EUR946 million in the January-July period, down 29% on the year.
Romania’s total external debt reached EUR98.32 billion at the end of July, slightly down from EUR98.97 billion in December 2012. The medium and long-term debt stood at EUR78.33 billion, while the short-term debt was EUR19.99 billion.
Romania’s current account deficit narrowed to EUR5.04 billion in 2012, from a gap of EUR5.94 billion a year earlier, largely due to reduced income and trade deficits.