India's exports rise 34.4 per cent in April

Exports from the country grew 34.4 per cent year-on-year to $23.9 billion during April 2011 while imports into the country rose 14.1 per cent and stood at $32.8 billion during the month.

India's imports, however, continued to exceed its exports and the country's balance of trade for April 2011 stood at $8.9 billion.

Giving trade figures at a press interaction in New Delhi today, commerce secretary Rahul Khullar said the engineering sector continued its sterling performance with a 109 per cent year-on-year increase in exports during April 2011.

Exports of electronic goods rose 48 per cent during the month while gem and jewellery exports rose 39 per cent.

Exports of petroleum and its products, plastics and linoleum and chemicals also showed a 30 per cent increase during the month, he said.

Among India's imports, gold showed the highest increase, at 60 per cent, while imports of pearls and precious stones increased by 19 per cent and petroleum imports by 77 per cent in April 2011.

Khullar, however, said these figures are quick estimates and the final figures may vary.

Exports from the country during March 2011, the final month of the previous fiscal (2010-11) had grown at a record 43.8 per cent to $29.135 billion. Imports into the country during March 2011 were up 17.2 per cent, at $34.743 billion.
 
Overall exports from the country during the 2010-11 financial year were up 37.5 per cent at $245.868 billion while imports during the year had risen 21.6 per cent to $350.695 billion.