Trade deficit narrows on higher exports

Higher diamond sales pushed up export figures. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
Higher diamond sales pushed up export figures. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE

Imports continued to outweigh exports in October last year although a rise in diamonds exports in the month narrowed the gap significantly.

Latest data released by Statistics Botswana (SB) show that Botswana’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed to P207.1 million in October 2014, from P 710,1 million in October 2013. This was a result of a 6.2 percent jump in diamond exports coupled with a decrease in the import bill by 1.8 percent (P124.2 million) from P6.8 billion in October 2013.

Total imports were valued at P6.7 billion, showing an increase of 7.1 percent (P444.2 million) from the revised September 2014 value of P6.3 billion.

Editor's Comment
A step in the right direction

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