12 October 2016

The trade deficit has increased by 0.6% end of September 2016, to 9,326 million Tunisian dinars (MTD) against 9,268 MTD during the same period in 2015.

The coverage rate reached 69.2% against 68.7%, up by about 0.5 points, according to data provided by the Industry and Trade Ministry Tuesday.

The value of exports grew 3.1%, compared with a decrease by about 2.5% in 2015.

The ministry explains this rise in exports by the 14% growth in exports of totally-exporting companies , against 1.9% recorded in the same period last year.

This is also due to the improvement in the revenues of the mining and phosphate sector's exports whose value tripled compared with the year before.

Imports edged up by about 2.3% by the end of September, against a drop by 5.7% in the same period in 2015.

This is due mainly to the rise in the imports of raw materials, semi-manufactured products and equipment material made notably by totally-exporting companies with rates between 9% and 15%.

© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2016