THE TRADE ACCOUNT clawed its way back to safer territory in February, although still continuing the theme of deficits evident throughout 006, according to Standard bank economist Shireen Darmalingam. The trade deficit narrowed to R .66bn in February after recording its highest figure of R11.9bn in January. Exports increased by a stellar .89% m/m in February to R37.4 8bn from R30.456bn in January. However, imports declined by 5.4 % m/m in February to R40.095bn from R4 .393bn in January. The value of merchandise exports increased to R47 .6bn in the fourth quarter from R4 5.7bn in the third quarter on the back of the higher rand price of exported goods.
