The budget deficit rose to EGP 218.3 billion, constituting 9.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), during the period from July to March, the Ministry of Finance said Thursday.

The new figure is compared to EGP 145 billion during the same period last year, a report released by the ministry said.

The state revenues decreased to EGP 282.1 billion compared to 282.7 billion during the same period last year, it added.

Expenditure soared to EGP 490.6 billion, against EGP 423.3 billion last year, the ministry added.