Brussels, 19/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - EU28 international trade in services increased by 16% in 2012 compared with 2011, rising from €131 billion to €153 billion, according to figures published by Eurostat on 19 December. EU28 exports rose from €609 billion to €662 billion over the period examined (+9%) and its imports from €478 billion to €509 billion (+6%).
This positive result is mainly due to surpluses in business, professional and technical services (+€64 billion), financial services (+€32 billion), transport and computer and information services (both +€26 billion), insurance services (+€13 billion), construction services (+€9 billion), travel (+€5 billion), and communication services (+€3 billion). These surpluses were slightly offset by a deficit in royalties and licence fees (-€8 billion).
The EU28 recorded a surplus in trade in services with all its main partners: +€31 billion with EFTA, +€14 billion with both the USA and Russia, +€9 billion with both China and Japan, and +€7 billion with both Brazil and Canada. (EH/transl.fl)