Dhaka, May 23 -- Bangladesh's trade deficit with its seven neighbouring countries narrowed by more than 15 per cent to $1.70 billion during the October-December quarter of this fiscal year, according to the Bangladesh Bank data.

This reflects a decline in imports from major regional trading partners - India and Pakistan.

The deficit was $2.65 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier, according to the trade data reviewed by this scribe.

The improvement was mainly driven by a contraction in imports from India and Pakistan - Bangladesh's two largest trading partners in the region.

Economists say slower import demand and tighter spending on foreign goods may have contributed to the trend.

The seven neighbouring countries consid...