India's trade deficit narrows to $86.6 billion in April-January 2009-10

India's trade deficit narrowed to an estimated $86.6 billion in April- January 2009-2010, compared with the deficit of $111.6 billion during April-January 2008-09, helped by a 19.7 per cent drop in its imports.

Exports from the country, on the other hand, contracted by a lower 17.8 per cent during the period.

India exported goods and services valued at $14.343 billion (Rs65,920 crore) in January 2010, which was 11.5 per cent higher in dollar terms and 4.9 per cent in rupee terms compared with $12.869 billion (Rs62,844 crore) in January 2009.

During January 2010, the country's imports were valued at $24.705 billion (Rs113,545 crore) - a growth of 35.5 per cent in dollar terms and 27.6 per cent in rupee terms compared with imports valued at $18.228 billion (Rs89,015 crore) in January 2009.

Cumulative exports during April-January 2009-10 stood at $131.930 billion (Rs629,224 crore) against $160.438 billion (Rs715,764 crore) - a  negative growth of 17.8 per cent in dollar terms and 12.1 per cent in rupee terms over the same period of the previous year.

Cumulative imports during April- January 2009-10 stood at $218.534 billion (Rs10,41,513 crore) against $272.037 billion (Rs12,15,214 crore) in the previous-year period - a negative growth of 19.7 per cent in dollar terms and 14.3 per cent in rupee terms.