Trade deficit widens to record $26.18 bn amid rise in imports of items

Trade deficit was higher than anticipated in June, as it widened to a record high of $26.18 billion amid a rise in imports of items, such as crude oil, gold and coal. Imports jumped 57.55 per cent to a record $66.31 billion. 

Even as exports grew 23.52 per cent year-on-year to $40.13 billion in June, economists expect a slowdown in exports due to the weak outlook for the global economy.