Laos sees record trade deficit in September

Laos recorded a trade deficit of 218 million U.S. dollars in September, marking the highest in 2023, according to the latest figures from the Lao Trade Portal website on Thursday, Xinhua reports. 

The total value of trade in September amounted to over 1 billion dollars, of which 394 million dollars were for exports and 612 million dollars for imports, said a report issued by the Lao Trade Portal website.

Laos' main export products included mixed gold, paper and paper products, gold ore, potassium salt, rubber, pulp and scrap paper, iron ore, sugar, clothing, and bananas.

The country's main imports included diesel, land vehicles, mechanical equipment, steel and steel products, beverages, auto parts, wood pulp and paper waste, gasoline, electronic lines and cables and plastic products.

China, Vietnam and Thailand are among the leading export destinations for Lao products. Meanwhile, the major import sources to Laos include Thailand, China and Vietnam, according to the report.