{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1408789,
        "msgid": "rp-trade-deficit-narrows-1447893297",
        "date": "1998-07-18 00:00:00",
        "title": "RP trade deficit narrows",
        "author": null,
        "source": "REUTERS",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "RP trade deficit narrows MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines merchandise trade deficit narrowed in the first five months of the year as the current economic slowdown reduced imports and economists yesterday said the trend will likely hold. The National Statistics Office reported that the merchandise trade deficit from January to May fell 66.1 percent to $1.603 billion from the year-earlier $4.725 billion.",
        "content": "<p>RP trade deficit narrows<\/p>\n<p>MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines merchandise trade deficit<br>\nnarrowed in the first five months of the year as the current<br>\neconomic slowdown reduced imports and economists yesterday said<br>\nthe trend will likely hold.<\/p>\n<p>The National Statistics Office reported that the merchandise<br>\ntrade deficit from January to May fell 66.1 percent to $1.603<br>\nbillion from the year-earlier $4.725 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Imports shrank 8.2 percent to $13.118 billion in the five-<br>\nmonth period against the year-earlier $14.296 billion, while<br>\nexports grew 20.3 percent to $11.515 billion from the year-ago<br>\n$9.571 billion period.<\/p>\n<p>\"This confirms that there's a slowdown in the economy. The<br>\nimprovement in the balance of trade is not a positive<br>\ndevelopment. More than anything it shows a weakening economy,\"<br>\nsaid Francis Varela, vice-president at AsianBank Corp.<\/p>\n<p>Philippine industries usually import raw materials and capital<br>\nequipment for expansion requirements.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-trade-deficit-narrows-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}