$5.09-B trade deficit widest in 20 months

The Philippines recorded a $5.09-billion trade gap in September, the largest in 20 months, as exports declined while imports went up.

-  Louella Desiderio

Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the balance of trade in goods, or the difference between exports and imports, amounted to a $5.09-billion deficit in September, 43.4 percent higher than the $3.55 billion shortfall in the same month last year.

The latest trade deficit figure is the biggest since the $5.56 billion trade gap posted in January last year.

The September trade shortfall is also higher than the previous month's $4.39-billion deficit.