, June 8 -- Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday told Parliament that the country's trade deficit increased by nearly US$ 8 billion over the five fiscal years, reaching US$ 24.16 billion in FY25 from $ 16.24 billion in FY21 for what he described as wrong policies of the previous governments.

"The country's trade deficit has widened due to wrong policies pursued by the previous governments," he said, replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Jashim Uddin Ahmed (Chattogram-14).

The commerce minister said the global energy crisis, hike in prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the dollar crisis and international market conditions have also played an important role in the rise of the trade deficit.

"In partic...