PORT LOUIS – Mauritius’ trade deficit widened 15.6 per cent to 5.64 billion rupees ($160.68 million) in February from the same period a year earlier due to a fall in exports of manufactured goods, the statistics office said yesterday.

Export revenue fell 9.8 per cent to 6.29 billion rupees, with manufactured goods dropping to 1.83 billion rupees from 2.62 billion rupees in February last year. Imports rose 0.7 per cent to 11.94 billion rupees, Statistics Mauritius said in a statement.

France was the main buyer of goods from Mauritius in February, accounting for 16.4 per cent. India supplied 17.0 per cent of Mauritius’ imports.

Agencies.