However, the pace of trade deficit slowed down from 25.6 percent during the same period in 2005-06 to 16.6 percent. The total trade deficit had crossed 100.67 billion rupees (1.5 billion dollars) in 2005-06 fiscal year.

According to the current macroeconomic report released here Friday by Nepal Rastra Bank, central bank of the country, total exports rose by a mere 0.8 percent during the period, while imports registered a growth of 11 percent.

Total exports in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year had risen by 2.9 percent while imports rose by 16.6 percent.

According to the report, Nepal exported various goods worth over 55.45 billion rupees (853 million dollars) during the period, whereas total imports stood at 172.86 billion rupees (2.6 billion dollars).