Government spends less in health sector

The Gross Domestic Product edged up by Lm4.3 million to hit Lm441.7 million in nominal terms in the first quarter of this year, a one per cent increase over the corresponding quarter last year, the National Statistics Office said.

In real terms the GDP dropped by 0.1 per cent.

In the quarter under review, the Gross National Income went up by Lm11.4 million, or 2.6 per cent, to Lm446.2 million.

The NSO said that compared to the first quarter of 2004, general government final consumption expenditure declined by Lm6.2 million and amounted to Lm97.7 million. This decline represented lower expenditure in the first quarter on materials and supplies across the government sector, especially in the health sector.

In real terms, government consumption decreased by 5.6 per cent to Lm83.6 million.

Outlays on gross fixed capital formation advanced from Lm86.7 million to Lm96.2 million - an increase of 10.9 per cent. In real terms, investment expenditure rose by 8.9 per cent.

Exports of goods and services dropped by 12.9 per cent to Lm285.3 million.

In real terms exports went down by 14.1 per cent due to lower export prices. On the other hand, imports of goods and services went up by 0.9 per cent. In real terms, however, imports decreased by 4.1 per cent to Lm371.4 million, the NSO said.