Cairo – Mubasher: Egypt’s trade balance deficit rose in February by 4.3% to reach EGP 21 billion, up from EGP 20.2 billion in the same period a year earlier, said state-run statistics body CAPMAS.

The country’s imports fell in February by 6.9% to EGP 33.7 billion, from EGP 36.18 billion in February, 2014. This fall was attributed to a decline in the value of some commodities like wheat, organic and non-organic materials, and crude oil.

Meanwhile, the value of the country’s exports declined 20.9% year-on-year to EGP 12.68 billion, from EGP 16.03 billion.