The importation of industrial supplies decreased by Lm5.5 million to Lm49.9 million while imports of capital goods increased by Lm2.2 million from Lm21.0 million to Lm23.2 million. The importation of consumer goods during June went up by Lm6.3 million to Lm30.9 million when compared to the figure for June 2003. Imports of fuel and lubricants were marginally down by Lm0.3 million.

In the month under review, total exports showed a decrease of Lm5.3 million to Lm75.8 million from Lm81.1 million of the previous year.

Merchandise trade: January – June

Total imports for the period January – June increased by Lm12.4 million or 1.9 per cent to Lm653.3 million from Lm640.9 million for the same period of 2003.

Imports of industrial supplies decreased by Lm22.8 million to Lm307.3 million. On the other hand importation of capital goods went up by Lm19.5 million to Lm131.2 million, representing an increase of 17.5 per cent. Consumer goods imports were also up by Lm8.9 million from Lm148.8 million to Lm157.7 million. An increase of Lm6.8 million was also registered in Fuel and Lubricants imports.

In the period under review, total exports show a trend upwards by Lm10.7 million or 2.4 per cent to Lm465.2 million from Lm454.5 million of the period January – June 2003.

Visible trade gap

The visible trade gap for June widened by Lm8.0 million when compared to the same month of last year, with the overall visible trade gap for the first six months of this year widening by Lm1.7 million to Lm188.1 million from Lm186.4 million of the same period of the previous year.