Balance of payments deficit down to USD 1.3 bln in March

Ukraine’s balance of payments ran a deficit of USD 1.3 bln in March (USD 5.2 bln in 3M09), the National Bank of Ukraine reported yesterday. The current account shortfall made USD 434 mln, while capital account imbalance was USD 855 mln. In March, exports were down 36.5% yoy, while imports fell 45.2% yoy. Andrii Parkhomenko: The balance of payments deficit is the smallest since September 2008. The improvement was made mainly thanks to the reduced outflow of foreign currency from the banking system.