Trade deficit widens on softer diamond exports

Diamond exports fell 35% in August this year
Diamond exports fell 35% in August this year

Botswana’s trade deficit widened to P1.7 billion in August 2015 from P486.4 million recorded in July this year due to low volumes of diamond exports.

Trade data released by Statistics Botswana this week shows that while imports remained relatively flat, the deficit was driven by a significant 34% decline in exports from P4.6 billion to P3.03 billion. 

An analysis of the data shows that the decline in exports was triggered by lower diamond exports  (both polished and rough), which plunged 35% to P2.4 billion over the two months.

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Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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