The country sees a trade deficit of 1,107 million US dollars, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Till August 30 of 2018-2019 FY, the export value reached 15.157 billion US dollars while the import value hit over 16.564 billion US dollars. 

The external trade is expected to hit over 31 billion US dollars. The trade deficit is expected to decline to 500 million US dollars during this fiscal year, said Union Minister for Planning and Finance Soe Win, at the first day session of the 9th regular session of second Union Parliament. 

In 2017-2018 FY, the total trade value hit over 33 billion US dollars and there was a trade deficit of over 3.836 billion US dollars. 

During the six-month interim period of 2018, the total trade value hit over 18 billion US dollars and there was a trade deficit of over one billion US dollars. 

In a bid to lower trade deficit, the commerce ministry is working on the National Export Strategy for development of export sector, the relaxations of procedures, encouragement to the private sector and the production of value-added products and the market expansion for exports through the tax reliefs like GSP.

Till August 23 of 2018-2019 FY, the total trade value amounted to over 31 billion US dollars, down over 260 million US dollars, compared with the same period last year.