BUJUMBURA: Burundi's trade deficit widened to $197.3 million in the first quarter from $131.4 million in the same period of 2012 as imports rose sharply, the central bank said on Friday.
Export revenues nudged 1.4 percent higher, to $33.4 million, while import costs surged 43.3 percent to $218.9 million.
Dependence on imports and a weak currency are seen as the main economic weaknesses for the central African country of more than 8 million people.
Burundi's franc fell 14 percent against the dollar in the first quarter of 2013, central bank figures showed, only slightly less than its decline in the whole of 2012.
Economic analysts say Burundi should diversify its export crops, try to attract foreign direct investment and promote tourism in order to boost growth. Coffee and tea account for 85 percent of exports.
In December, the government projected the economy would grow 6.6 percent in 2013, up from an estimated 4.7 percent in 2012.
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