Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

16-January-2012 15:08 IST

Export Grows by 25.8% in April- December 2011 at US $ 217.6 Billion: Commerce Secretary

India’s exports for the month of April- December 2011 have registered a growth of 25.8%, at US $ 217.6 billion. Interacting with the media persons here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during the period April—December 2011, the imports were US $ 350.9 billion with a growth of 30.4% and a Balance of Trade stood at US $ (-)133.3 billion, during the same period. Shri Khullar also informed that India’s exports in December 2011 were US $ 25 billion and imports stood at US $ 37.8 bn Balance of trade for the month of December 2011 stood at (-) 12.8 billion US $.

During April-December 2011, the following sectors have done well viz., engineering, (US $ 45.3 billion) which registered the growth of 21.6%; petroleum & oil products, 55% (US $ 43.9 billion); Gems & Jewellery registered the growth of 38.5% (US $ 33.5 billion); Drugs and pharmaceuticals 21.5% (US $ 9.1 billion US $);leather 25.8% (US $ 3.4 billion) Cotton yarn and fabric made-up 13% (US $ 5.1 billion) ; electronics, 21.1% (US $ 6.7 billion); Readymade garments, 23.7% ( US $ 9.6 billion).

As regards to imports during April-December 2011, the growth estimates on the following sectors are: POL, 40.4% (US $ 105.6 billion); Gold and silver 53.8% (US 45.5 billion),; machinery, 27.7% (US $ 25.8 billion), electronics, 24% (US $ 25.2 billion), fertilizers 35% (US $ 8.2 billion ) and coal 62% (US $ 12.5 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 highlights widening trade deficit as imports increase faster than exports, based on preliminary trade estimates. India's exports for April-December 2011 rose 25.8% to US$ 217.6 billion while imports grew 30.4% to US$ 350.9 billion, producing a negative balance of trade of US$ 133.3 billion; December 2011 monthly figures showed a similar deficit pattern and the Commerce Secretary noted the figures are preliminary estimates.