Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

09-February-2012 15:42 IST

India’s exports for the month of January 2012 have registered a growth of 10.1%, at US$ 25.4 billion. Imports for the January 2012 were US $ 40.1 billion with a growth of 20.3%. Balance of Trade stood at US $ (-) 14.7 billion during January 2012. Interacting with the media persons here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during the period April 2011—January 2012 the export stood at 242.8 billion US $ with a growth of 23.5%, Imports for the April 2011- January 2012 stood at 391.5 billion US $ with the growth of 29.4%. and April 2011 to January 2012 stood at (– ) 148.7 billion US $.

During April 2011-January 2012, the following sectors have done well viz., engineering, (US $ 49.7 billion) which registered the growth of 21%; petroleum & oil products (48.9 US $ billion), 50.1%; Gems & Jewellery registered the growth of 33% (US $ 37 billion); Drugs and pharmaceuticals 21.1% (US $ 10.20 billion US $);leather 23.4% (US $ 3.8 billion) Cotton yarn and fabric made-up 14.7% (US $ 5.59 billion) ; electronics,(7.3 billion US$) 13.4% ; Readymade garments, 21.5% ( US $ 10.9 billion), other basic chemicals grows by 29.6 % with the (US $ 8.8 billion US $).

As regards to imports during April 2011-January 2012, the growth estimates on the following sectors are: POL, 38.8% (US $ 117.9 billion); Gold and silver 46.6% (US 50 billion); machinery, 25.8% (US $ 28.8 billion), electronics, 22.9% (US $ 27.8 billion), Organic & inorganic chemicals 23.6% (US $ 15.8 billion ) and coal 69% (US $ 14.1 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/gk

Trade growth shows sustained export expansion and wider import-driven deficit, highlighting sectoral shifts and provisional estimates. India's exports rose in January 2012 and grew cumulatively April 2011-January 2012, but import growth outpaced exports over the same cumulative period, producing a larger trade deficit; sectoral detail highlights major export contributors (engineering, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, leather, textiles, electronics, garments) and major import growth in petroleum, precious metals, machinery, electronics, chemicals and coal. The Commerce Secretary stated these are provisional estimates subject to change.