Lower imports aid trade surplus surplus
Friday, August 02, 2013
The figures show that within both imports and exports, lower diamond inflows and outflows were behind trends in May.During the month, diamond imports fell 37 percent to P1.4 billion, while exports were down 28 percent to P4.09 billion.Under the De Beers' arrangement, Botswana imports rough diamonds from mines in Namibia, South Africa and Canada for sorting and valuing locally, before the stones are exported.As a result, Statistics Botswana records diamonds as both imports and exports.
According to data, for May imports, diamonds contributed 27.1 percent (P1,360.1 million) to total imports (P5,024.8 million) during the month, followed by Fuel with 15.3 percent (P768.6 million). Machinery & Electrical Equipment contributed 12.4 percent (P623.0 million) followed by Vehicles & Transport Equipment and Food, Beverages & Tobacco with 10.8 percent (P543.1 million) and 10.1 percent (P505.9 million) respectively. Chemicals & Rubber Products contributed 9.0 percent (P451.4 million).
These roads, which are vital conduits for trade and tourism, have long been in dire need of repair. However, while this development is undoubtedly a positive step, it also raises questions about broader issues of infrastructural management and road safety that deserve closer scrutiny.The A3 and A33 roads are not just any roads, they are critical arteries that connect Botswana to its neighbours and facilitate the movement of goods and people...