Andrew
ZIMBABWE’S monthly trade deficit at the end of June narrowed to US$83,9 million from US$202,6 million a month earlier, latest figures from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show.
The improvement in trade terms was supported by a 30 percent rise in export revenues to US$666,6 million, while imports increased by 5 percent to US$750,5 million.
For the half-year period, the trade deficit narrowed by 16 percent to US$774,4 million, with export revenues hitting US$3,3 billion, while the import bill rose by 18 percent to US$4,1 billion.
Monthly imports from South Africa stood at US$325,3 million and exports reached US$272 million.
Overall, Zimbabwe has imported US$1,7 billion of goods from South Africa during the first half, which was a 14 percent rise from the comparable 2021 period.
Exports to the same country declined by 13 percent to US$1,3 billion, yielding a deficit of US$416,6 million.
The trade statistics indicate improving trade ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as total exports to the country reached US$1,03 billion in the first six months f the year from US$599,5 million in the same period a year ago.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter