Visible trade gap to May widens

The visible trade gap between January and May this year widened by Lm38 million to Lm158.8 million from Lm120.8 million during the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said.

Total imports from January to May this year increased by Lm38.2 million or 7.8 per cent to Lm530.6 million from Lm492.4 million in the same period last year.

In the period under review, total exports were up by Lm10.2 million or 2.8 per cent to Lm371.8 million from Lm361.6 million in the same five months in 2002.

Domestic exports increased by Lm9 million to Lm321.9 million. Re-exports went up by Lm1.2 million to Lm49.9 million from Lm48.7 million in the same five months last year.

In May alone, total imports dropped by Lm0.6 million to Lm108.1 million, slightly down from Lm108.7 million in May last year.

In the month under review, total exports were down by Lm2.9 million to Lm73.4 million. Domestic exports dropped by Lm2.4 million to Lm63.3 million, and re-exports were down by Lm0.5 million to Lm10.1 million.