Syria's trade deficit for 2008 has increased to 132 billion Syrian lira (about 2.86 billion), from SL105 billion ($2.28 billion) a year previously - an increase of about 30 percent.

According to Syria's central bureau of statistics, imports in 2008 increased to SL838 billion ($18.2 billion), while export declined to SL684 billion ($14.86 billion).

Also according to the bureau, Syria's balance of trade has been registering deficits since 2004.

[The drought in the last three years has turned Syria into a grain importer rather than a grain exporter, while at the same time crude oil exports have continued to decline. Syria has been forced to import growing amounts of oil derivatives.]

Source: Akhbar al-Khaleej, Bahrain, October 30, 2009
Posted at: 2009-10-30