Statistics Botswana figures released on Wednesday pegged exports at P6.5 billion compared to imports of P5.9 million. The data also shows that an increase in diamond exports from about P5.3 billion in March to P5.6 billion in April, was largely behind the improved trade surplus.Other export-side contributors to the trade surplus include meat and meat products whose sales rose by 54 percent to P110.3 million during April, and gold where exports increased by 30 percent to P38.1 million.
Diamond exports, which include both rough and polished, accounted for 86.1 percent of total exports, while copper and nickel exports made up 6.3 percent.Statistics Botswana figures also indicate that the improved trade surplus was helped by a decline in diamond imports from P2.25 billion in March to P2.17 billion in April, as well as a 25 percent drop in fuel imports to P735 million.April's trade surplus follows similar positive trade figures in March and February, which in turn came after months of rolling deficits. The latest surpluses suggest an improvement in the country's balance of payments within which the merchandise trade balance is a major component. The figures also suggest a replenishing of foreign exchange reserves, which took a beating during the period of rolling deficits.
