Finland - Balance of payments

The trade surplus reached a new record in 2000, totaling $13.3 billion, and the ratio of the trade account surplus to GDP rose10.9%. The interest-bearing net foreign debt decreased in 2000, reaching a low level in June 2000 of $6.5 billion.

Finnish households and businesses became more cautious in spending, due to the deep recession in the early 1990s and the slowdown in the global economy that began in 2001. Nonetheless, the financial health of Finnish companies improved in the late 1990s and into the 2000s, and private consumption was forecast to increase by 3.5% in 2000. Investment outflows exceed direct investment in Finland; foreigners are more interested in portfolio investments. Some changes in taxes, the promotion of Finland as a gateway for Russian markets, and the country's membership in the EU might attract foreign investment, however.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that in 2002 the purchasing power parity of Finland's exports was $40.1 billion while imports totaled $31.8 billion resulting in a trade surplus of $8.3 billion.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that in 2001 Finland had exports of goods totaling $43 billion and imports totaling $30.2 billion. The services credit totaled $5.8 billion and debit $8.2 billion. The following table summarizes Finland's balance of payments as reported by the IMF for 2001 in millions of US dollars.

Current Account	8,357
Balance on goods	12,657
Balance on services	-2,425
Balance on income	-1,192
Current transfers	-684
Capital Account	65
Financial Account	-10,973
Direct investment abroad	-8,363
Direct investment in Finland	3,427
Portfolio investment assets	-11,594
Portfolio investment liabilities	5,985
Other investment assets	-10,118
Other investment liabilities	9,652
Net Errors and Omissions	2,956
Reserves and Related Items	-405