Croatia's gross external debt stood at EUR 46.9 billion at the end of July, which was EUR 310.7 million or 0.66 percent down from June this year, and it rose by 884.1 million euros or by 1.92 percent in nominal terms in comparison to July 2010, according to figures released by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) in its latest publication on economic trends.
The reduction of the debt in July was a result of the usual seasonal trends when banks use the intensified inflow of foreign currencies during the high tourist season for the payment of international obligations.
Banks' foreign debt totalled EUR 11.26 billion euros, falling by EUR 731.5 million from the end of June.
The central government's foreign debt went up by EUR 364.1 million to EUR 6.98 billion in the said period. The rise was fueled by the issuance of state bonds in the amount of EUR 750 million at the beginning of the third quarter of 2011, read the HGK publication.
The foreign debt of other sectors, that mainly include the corporate sector, came to EUR 21.7 billion, up 36.5 million euros from June.
