Trade deficit narrows

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.