External Sector Performance - September 2019

The trade deficit widened in September 2019 (year-on-year), with the decline in earnings from exports exceeding the decline in expenditure on imports. Nevertheless, the trade deficit remained significantly low in the first nine months of 2019 over the same period of last year, as a result of increased cumulative earnings from exports and a sharp decline in cumulative expenditure on imports. Meanwhile, the drop in tourist arrivals was contained further in September 2019. Workers’ remittances rose (year-on-year) in September 2019, although declining on a cumulative basis. In the financial account, foreign investment in the CSE and the government securities market recorded net outflows in September 2019. Despite some depreciation pressure in the month of September, the Sri Lankan rupee remained appreciated against most major currencies during the first nine months of the year.

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Published Date: 

Friday, November 15, 2019