Amman - The deficit in Jordan's balance of trade grew by 37.9 per cent in the first five months of the year to 2.891 billion dinars (4.08 billion dollars) from 2.096 billion dinars in the same period of 2007, according to official statistics released Wednesday.

Economists attributed the widening trade gap mainly to a 32 per cent increase in imports, which stood at 4.944 billion dinars in the first five months of the year, compared with 3.744 billion dinars in the same period of last year.

The Department of Statistics reported a 96 per cent rise in the country's oil bill due to surging crude prices, to 954 million dinars from 486 million.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan's main oil supplier, topped the list of exporters to Jordan, followed by China and Germany. Jordan's imports from the European Union countries grew by 15.6 per cent, to 1.14 billion dinars from 987 million dinars.

The Department of Statistics also reported a 24.6 per cent rise in Jordan's exports and re-exports which stood at 2.052 billion dinars between January and May, compared with 1.648 billion dinars in the first five months of 2007.

Iraq topped the list of importers from Jordan followed by the United States and India. (dpa)