As Latvia's exports rose more markedly, deficit in the balance of payments current account decreased substantially in July and August. In September, the current account deficit increased again, as imports of goods rose. In the first nine months of 2002, the services surplus was 12.0 million lats higher than the year before.
BIS Review 29/1997  -2-  All in all, these changes are to the good, in that they should result in expanding international trade, more rapid increases in productivity and, hence, improved living standards everywhere, but especially in developing countries. However, these ongoing globalization trends and adjustments to new technology do imply changes in the structure of national economies.