The imports of the country registered 14.62 percent increase during July 2003 to May 2004, and rose to 13.74 billion dollars against 11.07 billion dollars in the corresponding period last year.
According to provisional record of Static Division, the import of 1.729 billion dollars has been recorded in the month of May against 1.509 billion dollars in April.
The exports fell 3.27 percent in May to a provisional 1.06 billion dollars in April, it said, adding the exports were up one percent from 1.05 billion dollars in a year earlier.
The report said the value of exports during July 2003 to May 2004 stood at 11.06 billion dollars against 9.89 billion dollars a year earlier.
The trade deficit was widened in May to 669.13 million dollars from 412.83 million dollars in April and a surplus of 79.74 million dollars a year ago.
The cumulative trade deficit for July 2003 to May 2004 was 2.674 billion dollars against a deficit of 1.172 billion dollars against a year earlier, it added.