June 22: The country has recorded a trade deficit of Rs 1577 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, which is 25 per cent more compared to the last fiscal year. According to the Department of Customs, the country’s trade deficit was Rs 1262.11 billion in the same period of last fiscal year.    
During the review period, country’s foreign trade stood at Rs 1949 billion, which is 29.5 per cent more than the previous fiscal year. In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, the country imported goods worth Rs 1763.22 billion against Rs 1383.36 billion in the last fiscal year.    
Likewise, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 185.83 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year.    
During the review period, Nepal imported petroleum products of Rs 267.3 billion. Among the petroleum products, diesel topped the import list at Rs 145.22 billion while cooking gas (LPG) worth Rs 59.16 billion was imported during the 11 months of the current fiscal year. -- RSS