<h1>Trade deficit widens sharply as import growth outpaces export gains, expanding the overall external gap.</h1> Merchandise exports grew in May 2017 and cumulatively for April-May 2017-18 led by Engineering Goods, Gems & Jewellery, Petroleum Products, Textiles, Chemicals, Rice, Marine and Electronic Goods, while imports rose sharply-notably Petroleum, Gold, Electronic Goods and Machinery-driving a much larger merchandise trade deficit; oil and non oil import increases and a net export position in services for April 2017 together produced a substantially wider overall trade deficit for April-May 2017-18.