The balance of payments for the fourth quarter of 2000 moved into negative territory and showed a deficit of £512 million (euro 654 million) - leaving a deficit of £683 million for the year as a whole.
According to the Central Statistics Office which released the Balance of International Payments figures today this contrasts with a surplus of £446 million for 1999.
The fourth-quarter deficit was the result of combined surpluses for merchandise of £6,209 million and current transfers being outweighed by deficits on services of £3699 million and income of £3,431 million.
A similar pattern is evident for the full year.
Merchandise exports continued to increase with the fourth quarter value recorded at £17,644 million. Imports increased significantly in this quarter to £11,435 million.
For the full year exports of £62,807 million were recorded against imports of £40,907 million.
In 1999 exports were £49,579 million and imports were £31,676 million.
