Hungary’s trade deficit was €287.9 million in August 2006, €157.6 million less than in same month a year earlier, according to preliminary figures published by the Central Statistics Office (KSH) on Tuesday. The January-August trade deficit was €1.709 billion, still €353 million less than in the same period of 2005. August exports totaled €4.39 billion, up 14.5% from a year earlier. Imports grew by 9.3% in twelve months to €4.677 billion in August. Eight-month exports rose 16% year-on-year to €36.576 billion, and January-August imports rose 14% year-on-year to €38.285 billion. In forint terms, European Union member countries had a 72% share in Hungary’s exports and a 65% share of its imports in August, KSH said. KSH will publish detailed and revised August trade figures on October 31. (Mti-Eco)