SA records deficit in January

Pretoria - South Africa registered a trade deficit of R3.3 billion in January, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) said on Friday.

The deficit, according to SARS, is due to a decrease in imports of 4.14 percent and a decrease in exports of 19.24 percent. "Imports decreased by R1.73 billion (4.14%) to R39.97 billion and exports decreased by R8.73 billion (19.24%) to R36.64 billion.

The monthly trade deficit for 2010 is R3.33 billion compared to a deficit of R17.47 billion in January 2009, a decline of R14.14 billion or 81 percent," said SARS.