Botswana narrows trade deficit with China

China, a fast expanding and export-oriented economy, generally enjoys a trade surplus with many countries, including giants like the United States. Botswana had a trade surplus of P166 million in 2007 but the balance swung in China's favour from 2009 as Chinese engineering and construction firms scooped public works tenders worth billions of Pula.

Latest Statistics Botswana figures indicate that the trade balance with China deteriorated to a deficit of P534 million in 2009, P1.8 billion in 2010, P5.1 billion in 2011 before dropping to P1.4 billion last year.Prior to 2009, Botswana enjoyed a surplus of P58 million in merchandise trade with China and another P166 million in 2007, while 2006 and 2005 recorded deficits averaging P178 million.