Botswana-China Trade Deficit Swells

Botho Bayedi
Botho Bayedi

Botswana has a growing trade deficit with China as imports have been increasing over the last five years while exports to China have been decreasing. In 2020, the trade deficit was recorded at over $149 million, BusinessMonitor has learnt. Botswana’s export to China has decreased over the years since 2016.

Exports to China were recorded at about $44 million then, while in 2020 exports had dropped to about $2 million. Speaking during the China-Botswana investment promotion webinar, which was themed technological innovation, mining and minerals beneficiation, Botswana Investment and Trade Industry (BITC) executive director Business Intelligence, Botho Bayendi said while 2020 was characterised by disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic generally, export to China was still on the decline.

“Major exports include vegetable saps and extracts, articles of apparel and clothing, and industrial goods,” she said.

Editor's Comment
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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