The foreign trade deficit widened to MOP 6.39 billion in March from MOP 5.30 billion in February. A year ago, the shortfall was MOP 5.25 billion.
Exports rose 10 percent year-on-year, after a 24 percent surge in February. Shipments grew 16.1 percent from the previous month.
Meanwhile, imports climbed 20 percent annually in March, following a 9 percent rise in February. Imports grew 20.2 percent from the previous month, when they plunged 30.9 percent.
The trade deficit shrunk to MOP 19.44 billion in the first quarter from MOP 20.29 billion in the previous three months. In the same period last year, the shortfall was MOP 16.23 billion.
Merchandise exports increased by 6.0 percent year-on-year, while merchandise imports grew by 18 percent to MOP 21.92 billion.