Record trade balance surplus of 150 billion crowns

According to analysts’ estimations, the country’s trade balance in 2009 has reached a record surplus of 150 billion crowns. A decline in transportation costs and car scrap incentives in neighboring countries are cited as the main reasons for this record surplus in times of deep global recession. Should car scrap incentives be discontinued by some governments, it would affect the trade balance of the Czech Republic negatively, analysts say. As a consequence, some economists warn the trade balance surplus should not be interpreted as a signal of long-term improvement of the economic situation both in the Czech Republic and abroad. For 2010, experts predict a trade surplus of about 90 billion crowns.