Pakistan reports increase in trade deficit
Pakistan's Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) disclosed that the country's trade deficit rose 187.7% year-on-year to $3.48 billion during the first eight months (July-February) of the current fiscal year.
On monthly basis, the statistics show that the trade deficit totaled $593.4 million in February 2005, up 154.5% year-on-year.
Increased imports of petroleum products, metals, machinery, agriculture, chemicals and food contributed to the rise in the trade deficit.
Pakistan's exports rose 12.3% year-on-year to $8.85 billion during the July-February period, while imports rose 35.6% year-on-year to $12.33 billion.