Trade deficit widens on softer diamond exports
Friday, November 06, 2015
Trade data released by Statistics Botswana this week shows that while imports remained relatively flat, the deficit was driven by a significant 34% decline in exports from P4.6 billion to P3.03 billion.
An analysis of the data shows that the decline in exports was triggered by lower diamond exports (both polished and rough), which plunged 35% to P2.4 billion over the two months.
The findings reveal a disturbing pattern of misconduct and lack of transparency that cannot be ignored.The Tribunal, led by Judge President Justice Kabelo Lebotse, has rightly condemned the Ministry for its eyebrow raising conduct in awarding a P1.8 billion water tender to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Zhong Gan Engineering & Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd.The award was made despite alleged clear evidence that...