Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

12-October-2011 19:07 IST

Export Grows 52% in April- September 2011 at US $ 160 Billion: Commerce Secretary

India’s exports for the month of April- September 2011 have registered a growth of 52%, at US $ 160 billion. Interacting with the media persons here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during the period April-September 2011, the imports were US $ 233.5 billion with a growth of 32.4% and a Balance of Trade stood at US $ (-)73.5 billion, during the same period. Shri Khullar also informed that India’s imports in September 2011 were US $ 34.6 billion and export stood at US$ 24.6 bn Balance of trade for the month of September 2011 stood at (-) 9.8 billion US $.

During April-September 2011, the following sectors have done well viz., engineering, (US $ 46.4 billion) which registered the growth of 103%; petroleum & oil products, 53% (US $ 27 billion); Gems & Jewellery registered the growth of 23% (US $ 18.5 billion); Drugs and pharmaceuticals 33% (US $ 6.5 billion US $);leather 26% (US$ 2.25 billion) Cotton yarn and fabric made-up 22.5% (US $ 3.4 billion) ; electronics, 67% (US $ 5.7 billion); Readymade garments, 32% ( US $ 6.8 billion).

As regards to imports during April-September 2011, the growth estimates on the following sectors are: POL, 42% (US $ 70.4 billion); Gold and silver 80% (US 31.1 billion),; machinery, 34% (US $ 17.4 billion), electronics, 33% (US & 16.9 billion), Organic and inorganic chemicals 26% (US $ 9.3 billion) and coal 43% (US $ 8.4 billion US $).

The Commerce Secretary clarified that the figures are only the rough estimates and the final figure is subject to change.

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DS

Export growth dominates trade flow as imports continue to outpace exports, yielding a substantial trade deficit. India reported preliminary April-September 2011 merchandise trade figures showing exports of US$160 billion (52% growth) and imports of US$233.5 billion (32.4% growth), yielding a trade deficit of about US$73.5 billion; September monthly figures show exports of US$24.6 billion and imports of US$34.6 billion. Sectoral performance highlights strong export expansion in engineering, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, leather, textiles, electronics and garments, while import growth was concentrated in petroleum, precious metals, machinery, electronics, chemicals and coal. The Commerce Secretary noted these figures are rough estimates subject to change.