Botswana international merchandise trade statistics monthly digest for January 2015 indicate that a total imports were valued at P4, 437.9 million, showing an increase of 0.4 percent (P16.1 million) from the December 2014 value of P4, 421.8 million.
In January 2015 total exports were valued at P5, 770.4 million, an increase of 4.2 percent (P232.1 million) from the December 2014 value of P5, 538.3 million. On the trade balance there was a trade surplus of P1 332.5 million in January 2015. Imports by region and major trading partners for January 2015 were valued at P4, 437.9 million, with 75.5 percent (P3, 350.0 million) coming from South Africa and 1.0 percent (P42.8 million) from Namibia.
During the period under review, imports from Asia were valued at P323.0 million, representing 7.3 percent of total imports. China and Israel contributed 1.9 percent (P82.4 million) and 1.4 percent (P64.2 million) respectively, to total imports recorded during January 2015.
“The European Union (EU) supplied imports valued at P306.0 million, representing 6.9 percent of total imports during January 2015. Belgium and Germany contributed 3.6 percent (P160.1 million) and 1.6 percent (P70.6 million) respectively, to total imports during the same period,” reads the report.
Internationally, imports from Canada, the United States of America (USA) and Switzerland were valued at P208.0 million, P101.2 million and P72.6 million in January 2015, representing 4.7 percent, 2.3 percent and 1.6 percent respectively of total imports during the month. Imports at regional and country level (for major trading partners)
On the other side, exports by region and major trading partners for January 2015 were valued at P5, 770.4 million, with 35.5 percent (P2, 048.5 million) destined to Asia. Singapore received most of the exports destined to Asia at the value of P745.0 million, representing 12.9 percent of total exports. India, Israel and Hong Kong followed with contributions of 10.7 percent (P617.3 million), 4.5 percent (P257.8 million) and 3.4 percent (P195.4 million) respectively, of total exports during the month under review.
“Exports destined to the EU were valued at P1, 075.4 million, representing 18.6 percent of total exports during the period under review. Belgium received most exports destined to EU, having received 16.6 percent (P956.3 million) of total exports during January 2015,” reads the statement.
It was then followed by Finland with 1.5 percent (P89.1 million) of total exports during the same month. South Africa and Namibia received 16.6 percent (P960.6 million) and 12.3 percent (P708.5 million) respectively, of total exports during the month under review.
Exports to Canada were valued at P393.0 million, representing 6.8 percent of total exports (P5, 770.4 million) during January 2015.
Countries such as Norway, Switzerland and the United States of America (USA) received 3.7 percent (P215.8 million), 3.3 percent (P188.6 million) and 1.0 percent (P55.6 million) respectively, of total exports during the same month.
