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.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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