Wider Gap

Trade deficit expanded to US$ 150 mn in Januaryrnfrom US$ 131 mn in the same period 2002, largely due to higher import costs, thernCentral Bank said on Tuesday.

ldblquote Export growth was supported by a strongrnperformance of industrial exports, mainly machinery, mechanical and electricalrnequipment, and textiles and garments, dblquote the bank said.

Exportsrnrn

Export earnings in January rose to US$ 382 mnrnfrom US$ 343 mn during the same period 2002. The high growth was led by a 16rnpercent increase in industrial exports, partly offset by a 9 percent decline inrnag