ISLAMABAD: The country’s exports in March fell by over 11 per cent to $1.97 billion as against $2.22bn during the corresponding period last year, according to latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday.

The export proceeds during July-March period reached $17.08bn, up marginally by 0.11pc from $17.06bn in the same period last year.

On the other hand, import bill dipped by 20.88pc to $4.15bn in March from $5.25bn over the corresponding month last year.

Cumulatively, import bill in the first nine months fell by 7.96pc to $40.75bn as against $44.28bn during the same period last year.

As a result, the trade deficit in the nine months narrowed by 13.02pc to $23.67bn as against $27.12bn during the same period last year. On a monthly basis, the trade deficit dipped by 28.07pc to $2.17bn in March as against $3.02bn in March, 2018.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2019