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Are diamonds and copper pushing Botswana towards a dangerous trade crisis?

Diamond on display. Photo by Jordyn St. John @ Unsplash
Diamond on display. Photo by Jordyn St. John @ Unsplash
  • Diamond and copper exports plunged sharply in March
  • Trade deficit exposes Botswana’s commodity dependence risks

 

GABORONE, BOTSWANA – Botswana’s trade deficit widened sharply in March after collapsing diamond and copper flows exposed the vulnerability of the country’s commodity-dependent economy.

Imports fell 50% to $385.6mn (P5.03bn) while exports declined 41.2% to $253.7mn (P3.31bn), leaving Botswana with a trade deficit of $131.5mn (P1.72bn), according to data released by Statistics Botswana.

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