Imports of industrial supplies increased by Lm3.3 million to Lm52.9 million, while imports of capital goods were also up by Lm5.9 million, from Lm13.6 million to Lm19.5 million. The importation of consumer goods during August 2004 rose by Lm5.8 million to Lm27.8 million. On the other hand, the figure for fuel and lubricants imports remained the same, at Lm10 million, as in August 2003.

In the month under review, total exports showed a rise of Lm5.1 million to Lm75.9 million from Lm70.8 million last year.

Merchandise trade: January – August

Total imports for the period January – August 2004 increased by Lm46.4 million or 5.4 per cent to Lm899.6 million, from Lm853.2 million for the same period in 2003.

Imports of industrial supplies fell by Lm8.7 million to Lm429.1 million. On the other hand, importation of capital goods went up to Lm174.5 million, representing an increase of Lm31.4 million or 21.9 per cent. Consumer goods imports also showed an increase of Lm20.8 million, from Lm198.3 million to Lm219.1 million. Fuel and lubricants imports increased by Lm2.9 million.

In the period under review, total exports registered an increase of Lm1.7 million or 0.3 per cent to Lm605.4 million, from Lm603.7 million in the period January – August 2003.

Visible Trade Gap

During August 2004, the visible trade gap widened by Lm9.9 million compared to the same month last year, with the overall visible trade gap for the first eight months of 2004 widening by Lm44.7 million to Lm294.2 million, from Lm249.5 million in the same period last year.