Deficit down Lm1m

The government deficit for the first quarter of 2007 amounted to Lm36.7 million, Lm1 million below the deficit of Lm37.7 million recorded for the first quarter of last year.

The National Statistics Office said that while total income for the quarter increased by Lm1.2 million, and amounted to Lm186.4 million, total expenditure increased by Lm0.3 million, and amounted to Lm223.2 million.

When compared to the end-of-the March quarter 2006, total general government debt outstanding at the end of the first quarter this year contracted by Lm45.8 million and amounted to Lm1,406.8 million.