Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

19-April-2012 15:21 IST

Export grows by 21% in April 2011- March 2012 at US $ 303.7 Billion: Commerce Secretary

India’s exports for the last year (April 2011 to March 2012) have registered a growth of 21%, at US $ 303.7 billion. Interacting with the media persons here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during the same period the imports were US $ 488.6 billion with a growth of 32.1% and a Balance of Trade stood at US $ (-)184.9 billion

During April 2011-March 2012, the following sectors have done well with regard to exports- engineering, (US $ 58.2 billion) which registered the growth of 16.9%; petroleum & oil products, 38.5% (US $ 57.5 billion); Gems & Jewellery registered the growth of 13.3% (US $ 45.9 billion); Drugs and pharmaceuticals 21.9% (US $ 13.1 billion ); leather 22.5% (US $ 4.2 billion); electronics, 9.2% (US $ 9 billion); Cotton yarn and fabric made-up 17.4% (US $ 7.2 billion) Readymade garments yarns and fabrics, 18% ( US $ 13.7 billion), Manmade yarns and fabrics 18.5% (US $ 5.1 billion); Marine products 31.4% (US $ 3.4 billion) .

As regards to imports during April 2011-March 2012, the growth estimates on the following sectors are: POL, 46.9% (US $ 155.6 billion); Gold and silver 44.4% (US $ 61.5 billion); coal, 80.3% (US $ 17.6 billion); machinery, 27.7% (US $ 35.4 billion), electronics goods, 23% (US $ 32.7 billion), and coal 80.3% (US $ 17.6 billion US $), Iron & Steel 15%, (US $ 11.9 billion); Vegetable oil, 47.5% (US $ 9.7 billion); Fertilizer 59% (US $ 11 billion); Gems & Jewellery (-)10.6% (US $ 31 billion) .

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

Export growth increased, but rising imports widened the balance of trade deficit, based on provisional trade estimates. India's merchandise exports grew 21% to US$303.7 billion in April 2011-March 2012 while imports rose 32.1% to US$488.6 billion, resulting in a provisional balance of trade deficit near US$184.9 billion. Major export contributors included engineering and petroleum & oil products alongside growth in Gems & Jewellery, pharmaceuticals, leather, electronics, textiles and marine products. Significant import increases were reported for petroleum, gold and silver, coal, machinery, electronics goods, vegetable oil and fertilizers, with Gems & Jewellery imports falling. The Commerce Secretary noted these figures are rough estimates subject to revision.