November trade deficit hits 18-month high of $17 bn

While imports increased 27% the exports grew a tepid 7%

The country's trade deficit widened to an 18-month high of $16.86 billion in November, government data showed on Monday.

Merchandise imports grew 26.79% last month year-on-year to $42.82 billion. Exports, meanwhile, grew a tepid 7.27% on year to $25.96 billion.