India's exports have registered a growth of 36.4% during December 2010, at US $ 22.5 billion. Stating this at a press interaction here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during the period April-December 2010, exports have reached a level of US $ 164.7 billion at a growth of 29.5% while the imports were US $ 247.1 billion with a growth of 19% and a trade deficit of US $ 82.4 billion. During the interaction, Shri Khullar informed that India's imports in December 2010 were US $ 25.1 billion, down by 11.1% He further clarified that these figures are the quick estimates and the final figure may change. Balance of trade for the month of December stood at -2.6 billion US $, which is the lowest in last three years. 

During April-December 2010, the following sectors have done well viz., engineering, gems & jewellery, petroleum and its products, leather & leather products, carpet, plastics & linoleum, cotton yarn, chemicals etc. 

Mr. Khuller explained that these export monthly numbers are the highest in last 33 months and the import figures are lowest in the last 14 months Export growth signals strong trade recovery; imports declined and trade deficit narrowed on quick-estimate data. Exports showed a strong monthly and year to date increase through April-December 2010, reaching the highest monthly export level in 33 months while December imports declined and the monthly balance of trade was the lowest in three years; the published numbers are quick estimates subject to change. Sectoral gains driving export growth included engineering, gems and jewellery, petroleum and products, leather products, carpet, plastics and linoleum, cotton yarn, and chemicals.