Germany remains leading trade partner as Poland's trade gap narrows

Figures from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) show that the domestic tra de gap shrank to $9.6 billion during the January to August period, down from $11.7 billion in the same period of last year. During the first eight months of 2001, Poland exported goods and services valued at $23.2 billion, while i mports were worth $32.8 billion. The biggest deficits were with the most dev eloped economies. The trade imbalance with the US was $5.4 billion, and with the EU, $3.8 billion. Germany maintains its position as Poland's leading tra de partner. It was the destination for 35.1% of Polish exports in the first eight months, and the source of 23.9% of its imports. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2 ; Reuters) P.J.