Panafrican News Agency

Benin imported less from ECOWAS in second quarter this year

Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - Benin imported less goods from its partners of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the first quarter this year, the National Statistic and Economic Analysis Institute (INSAE) said here Wednesday.

Benin’s imports from ECOWAS countries dropped by 28.6 per cent, compared to the first quarter this year, according to the quarterly bulletin on foreign trade released by the INSAE.

In the previous quarter, they dropped by 34.4 per cent, compared to the fourth quarter, last year.

From 42.0 per cent of the total value of imports from the economic zone in the first quarter this year, Togo, Benin’s first supplier within ECOWAS, accounted for only 39.6 per cent of the value of acquisitions of goods from the economic zone, three months after.

The main products bought from Togo were 7,239.9 tonnes of palm oil for 4.1 billion CFAF, oil bitumen or bitumen ores that contain 70 per cent or more of oil or bitumen ores weighing 9,516 tonnes for an overall value of 1.9 billion CFAF, and finally motorcycles and cycles equipped with auxiliary engine for 0.7 billion FCFA.

In addition to Togo, Côte d’Ivoire also maintained its position in the second quarter this year. The value of purchases of goods from this country was estimated at 7.9 billion CFAF, representing 20.6 per cent of the value of imports within the community, as against 22.2 per cent the previous quarter.

Nigeria, with 16.2 per cent of the value of purchase of goods, and Ghana, with 13.8 per cent of goods as against 13.9 per cent previously, are Benin’s main suppliers over the second quarter.

 

-0-     PANA    IT/TBM/MSA/RA  16Sept2020