Exports rise 20.4 p.c. in April-Dec.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 1. Exports during the first nine months of the current fiscal grew by 20.42 per cent as compared to the same period last year, according to the monthly trade data (provisional) released here today. In rupee terms, aided by steady depreciation, exports grew at a faster pace of 26.42 per cent.

Exports in dollar terms totalled $32.26 billion during the nine month period as against $26.79 billion in the same period last fiscal. In rupee terms these amounted to Rs. 146,552.42 crores.

The latest data also showed that the trade deficit had narrowed to $5.88 billion in the first nine months from $8.2 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Imports in the nine month period grew by nearly nine per cent to $38.15 billions from $35.01 billion in the comparable period. Oil imports contributed a great deal to the increase in the growth rate. In the first three quarters, oil imports were valued at $12.5 billion which was about 80 per cent higher than $6.95 billion in the corresponding period last year. Non-oil imports, on the other hand, at $25.7 billion were 8.31 per cent lower than $28 billion registered in the first three quarters of the previous fiscal.

Exports in December were up by 17.33 per cent to $3.59 billion from $3.06 billion recorded in the same month last year. Imports were valued at $3.77 billion against $4.29 billion.

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