Algerian imports hit $40b in 2008 

(MENAFN) Algeria's General Customs Directorate said that the country's imports bill has hit about 40 billion in 2008, representing quite 50% of revenues estimated at 78.2 billion, ElKhabar reported.

Algeria's annual trade exchange toll showed that import bill had reached 39.156 billion in 2008, compared to 27.631 billion in 2007, which means that the import budget had increased by 11.52 billion within one year.

However, the trade balance in 2008 had recorded a surplus estimated at 39.077 billion, compared to 32.532 billion in 2007.

On another side, the US has consolidated its top position in terms of the most important partner to Algeria by exchanges hitting 20.862 billion, of which 18.64 billion had been Algerian exports.