EU international trade in services increases

EU international trade in services increased in 2012, with EU exports of services to the rest of the world rising by 9%, from 609 billion euro (USD 832 bn) in 2011 to 662 bn euro (USD 905 bn) in 2012, Eurostat, the EU statistical office reported Thursday. On the other hand, EU imports of services went up by 6%, from 478 bn euro to 509 bn euro for the same period. As a result, EU trade in services recorded a surplus of 153 bn euro in 2012. In 2012, the EU recorded surpluses in trade in services with all its main partners. The highest surpluses were observed with the EFTA (European Free Trade Association includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) countries (31 bn euro), Russia and the USA (both 14 bn), China and Japan (both 9 bn), Brazil and Canada (both 7 bn).