Country’s merchandise trade gap with the rest of the world crossed $11 billion level in the first eight months of the current fiscal year (FY18).
Statistics, released by the central bank on Sunday, showed that merchandise trade deficit stood at $11.73 billion in July-February period of the current fiscal year.
The amount was $6.08 billion in the same period of FY17.
Thus trade gap jumped by 93 per cent during the period under review.
Huge growth in import payments, around 26 per cent, against modest growth in export earnings, 8.0 per cent, during the period pushed the deficit at a higher level.
Bangladesh Bank statistics also showed that deficit in service trade stood at $2.95 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.
The amount was $2.11 billion in the same period of the past fiscal year.