Unlike the previous years, current account deficit in the second half of 2012, has shrunken compared to the same period of 2011 as well as the first half of 2012.   Current account deficit amounted to 351.1 million US dollars (583.0 million GEL) in the fourth quarter of 2012. That is 33.7 percent decrease on yearly base.

Export of goods decreased by 51.7 million US dollars, while import of goods by 19.4 million US dollars as compared to the same quarter of previous year. As a result trade deficit increased totaling 1.1 million US dollars (1.8 billion GEL). That is 3.0 percent higher compared to the same quarter of 2011.

Balance of services account was positive and equaled 303.0 million US dollars (503.1 million GEL). The export of services was 656.4 million US dollars (1.1 million GEL), 27.8 percent more than the figure of the same quarter of 2011. Import of services amounted to 353.4 million US dollars (587.0 million GEL). That is 4.6 percent increase as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

From services account travel had the most significant positive balance (288.2 million US dollars or 478.6 million GEL). It has increased by 55.8 percent compared to the figure of the same period of 2011.

Balance of income was positive equaling 5.9 million US dollars (9.8 million GEL). Income credit amounted to 306.0 million US dollars (508.2 million GEL), 49.3 percent higher than the figure for the same quarter of 2011. Income debit totaled 300.1 million US dollars (498.4 million GEL) was 22.1 percent less than the figure of the same quarter of 2011.

Current transfers was the largest positive component of the current account and amounted to 436.9 million US dollars (725.6 million GEL). The annual growth of this component was 9.2 percent. Inflow of current transfers equaled 469.7 million US dollars (780.1 million GEL), while outflow made up 32.9 million US dollars (54.6 million GEL). Annual increase of net current transfers of public sector was 6.8 percent and of other sectors 9.5 percent.

Net capital transfers inflow equaled to 64.2 million US dollars (106.7 million GEL).

Net foreign direct investments amounted to 107.6 million US dollars (178.6 million GEL) in the fourth quarter of 2012. Foreign direct investment to Georgia made up 181.0 million US dollars (300.6 million GEL), that is 40.1 percent decrease as compared to the same quarter of 2011. Out of total foreign direct investments to Georgia investment in equity capital amounted to 152.6 million US dollars (253.5 million GEL); reinvested earnings to 55.7 million US dollars (92.6 million GEL) and other capital to -27.4 million US dollars (-45.4 million GEL).

Balance of portfolio investments amounted to -7.8 million US dollars (-13.0 million GEL). Outward investments amounted to 1.4 million US dollars (2.3 million GEL), while liabilities decreased by 9.2 million US dollars (15.3 million GEL). Portfolio investments liabilities decreased due to repayment of accrual interest on government Eurobonds (9.6 million US dollars, 15.9 million GEL) and repayment of nominal on government securities (4.6 million US dollars, 7.7 million GEL).

Positive balance of other investments amounted to 125.9 million US dollars (209.0 million GEL). Of which asset decreased by 74.3 million USD (123.5 million GEL) due to decrease of deposits. At the same time, liabilities grew up by 51.5 million USD (85.6 million GEL). 55.7 percent of increase in liabilities came from private sector and the rest (44.3 percent) from public sector.

Official reserve assets decreased by 50.9 million US dollars (84.5 million GEL) due to transactional changes and amounted to 2.9 billion US dollars (4.8 billion GEL), that covers 3.7 months of imports.