Trade deficit 3.1 bln USD as imports increase 18.9 percent   Illustrative image (Source: VNA)                                     The country's total export and import turnover reached 88.4 billion USD by April 15, a year-on-year increase of 13.9 percent, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The country's total export turnover was 42.65 billion USD by April 15, up 9 percent year over year, and total import turnover reached 45.76 billion USD, up 18.9 percent. The commercial balance in the first half of April saw a deficit of 3.1 billion USD. Vietnam's merchandise export turnover in the first half of April was 6.34 billion USD, 12.3 percent less than the second half of March. Of these, export turnover of foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises was 4.3 billion USD, accounting for 67.8 percent of the country's total export turnover for the period. The export turnover of the textile and garment sector in the first half of April fell by 143 million USD compared to the second half of March. Computers, and electronic products and components fell by 122 million USD. Telephones and accessories fell by 80 million USD. The country's merchandise import turnover in the first half of April was 7.2 billion USD, a decrease of 11.1 percent compared to the second half of March. The import turnover of FDI enterprises was 4.33 billion USD, accounting for 60.1 percent of the country's total import turnover for the period. The import turnover of machines, equipment and spare parts in the first half of April fell by 251 million USD compared to the second half of March. Computers, and electronic products and components fell by 139 million USD. Soybeans fell by 60 million USD. Telephones and accessories fell by 46 million USD.-VNA