East Timor posted a trade deficit of US$893 million in 2014, data from the country’s Ministry of Finance showed on Tuesday.

East Timor’s trade gap increased by almost 18 percent in comparison with 2013.

Exports rose by 16 percent year-on-year to US$91.9 million, according to the data. But the majority were classified under “re-exports”.

Imports by East Timor amounted to US$985 million, up by 17 percent in year-on-year terms. Imports from China stood at almost US$41 million in 2014.