Table 7.2 shows the development of imports and the trade balance in that
period:
• Commodity imports accounted for more than three-quarters of all imports,
while those of services constituted less than a quarter.
• Intermediate commodities imports took pride of place, constituting one-
half of the commodities imports, while consumer goods made up 28 per
cent. Imports of investment goods declined to 22 per cent in 2000/01,
which signifies a weakening in the investment sector.
• The trade balance deficit increased from US$9.8 billion to US$11.8 billion
within two years. The reason was the increase in commodities imports,
while at the same time the export values remained almost stagnant. In
2000/01, however, the trade balance deficit decreased slightly to US$10.36
billion.
• If it were not for the revenues from foreign tourism and from the Suez
Canal tolls, the balance of payments would show an increase in deficits of
about 40 per cent.