ALGIERS: Algeria's trade deficit widened to $13.997 billion in the first eight months of 2016, 26.5 percent higher than in the same period last year, due to a fall in energy earnings after an oil price drop, official data showed.
Oil and gas exports, which accounted for 93.73 percent of Algeria's total sales abroad, fell 29.60 percent to $16.46 billion during the January-August period of this year, according to customs figures.
The overall value of exports declined 29 percent year-on-year to $17.56 billion, while imports were down 11.8 percent to $31.56 billion.
Algeria has been trying to reduce its imports bill after the oil price fall, which has also forced the government to cut spending and delay planned infrastructure projects.
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