ARUSHA, Nov. 13 -- EXPORTS drove a strong expansion in the East African Communitys (EAC) international merchandise trade during the second quarter of this year, underscoring the regions growing competitiveness in global markets, according to the latest EAC Quarterly Statistics Bulletin.

The bulletin, issued on Monday, said exports surged by 40.5 per cent to 18.6 billion US dollars, boosted by rising global demand for EAC products.

Imports rose more moderately by 18.8 per cent to 19.6 billion US dollars, lifting total trade to 38.2 billion US dollars from 29.7 billion US dollars recorded in the same quarter last year.

As a result, the trade deficit narrowed sharply to 0.9 billion US dollars from 3.2 billion US dollars a year earlier.

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