Total imports for the first quarter of 2011 have dropped by 11.7 per cent since October 2010 from Rs 39.3 billion to Rs 34.7 billion. Based on past trends, total exports for the year are expected to reach Rs 78 billion, against imports of Rs 161 billion.
Hence, according to the latest figures published by the Central Statistics Office, trade deficit would be around Rs 83 billion.
Import of fuel comprise the largest share with 27 per cent of total imports and amounting to Rs 9.6 billion.
India, the country’s main supplier of petroleum products since 2006, is the main source of imports.