EU SERVICES TRADE SURPLUS UP TO NEARLY EURO 43 BILLION IN 2004.

In 2004, the EU25 racked up a surplus of euro 42.8 billion from its external trade in services, compared to 37 billion in 2003. This increase was mainly due to a higher surplus in transport (+13.4 billion in 2004), while the deficit registered for travel was slightly lower (-12.9 billion). The surplus recorded for "other services" fell slightly (+42.5 billion). This was mainly due to the surpluses recorded in financial services (+14.4 billion), other business services (+18.1 billion) and computer and information services (+9.7 billion). The largest deficit was registered in royalties and licence fees (-8.9 billion).

In 2004, EU25 trade in services recorded an increased surplus with the United States (+11.2 billion) and with...