ISLAMABAD: The trade deficit has narrowed by 13.62 percent in first eleven months owing to measures taken by the government to increase the cost of imported luxury and non-essential goods.
According to trade data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Tuesday, the trade deficit reduced to $29.2 billion during July – May 2018/2019 as compared with the deficit of $33.81 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
Primary reason for shrinking trade deficit is reduction in import bill. The total imports fell by 8.47 percent to $50.47 billion during first eleven months of current fiscal year as compared with $55.14 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.
The government during the last couple of years has taken measures to discourage import of luxury and non-essential goods by imposing regulatory duty.
However, exports were remained flat at $21.26 billion during July – May 2018/2019 as compared with $21.33 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government had also extended many facilitations to jack up the exports but despite enjoying relaxations on many heads the Pakistani exporters failed to capture world market.
