In the fourth week of July imports rose over 15% and exports dropped 17.5%, compared to the third week of July.
The trade surplus for the week was an anemic US$ 343, with the average daily value of exports at only US$ 68.6 million.
This was the second week in a row characterized by a sharp rise in imports and big drop in exports.
For the year the trade situation remains strong. The cumulative January-July surplus is now US$ 22.712 billion, up over US$ 5 billion, compared to the same period last year. Exports for the year are up 22.4%, and imports up 19%.
ABr