Albania's trade deficit in September decreased by 9.9 percent in annual terms year-on-year, the Albanian Daily News reported Thursday.

During September this year, exports were estimated at an amount of 20 billion lek (160 million U.S. dollars), an increase of 32.6 percent compared to the previous month and a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to September 2014, the report said, citing data from the Albanian Institute of Statistics.

Imports reached a value of 44 billion lek (409 million dollars), increasing by 9.4 percent compared to August and decreasing by 7.4 percent compared to September 2014.

The official figures said the fall in exports was due to the decrease in construction materials, metals and fuel exports while imports in minerals, fuel and electric energy also decreased during September 2015.

In terms of trade, Albania exported more goods to Italy, Kosovo and Malta in September this year while it exported less to Spain, Greece and Macedonia.

Countries that increased their exports to Albania during September 2015 are Turkey, China and Germany while imports from Italy, Greece and Serbia fell.