Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

10-May-2012 15:05 IST

Export Stood at US$ 24.50 Billion in April 2012: Commerce Secretary

India’s exports for the months of April 2012 have registered a growth of 3.2%, at US $ 24.50 billion. Interacting with the media persons here today, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, informed that during April 2012 the imports were US $ 37.9 billion with a growth of 3.8% and a Balance of Trade stood at US $ (-)13.4 billion, during the same period.

During April 2012, the following sectors have done well with regard to exports- engineering, (US $ 5.2 billion) which registered the growth of 14.2%; electronics exports grew by 5.4% (US $ 0.6 billion); Drugs and pharmaceuticals 33% (US $ 1.1 billion );leather 3.2% (US $ 0.3 billion); Basic Chemicals 11.4% (US$0.9 billion); Marine products 21% (US& 0.2 billon) Cotton yarn and fabric made-up (-)20.4% (US $ 0.49 billion) ; Gems & Jewellery decline by (-) 25.7% (US $ 2.6 billion).

As regards to imports during April 2012, the growth estimates on the following sectors are: POL, 7% (US $ 13.9 billion); Gold and silver (-)33% (US$ 3.1 billion); machinery, 14.9% (US $ 2.9 billion), and coal 25.5% (US $ 1.5 billion US $) Pearls and precious stones (-)63.3% (US$1.2 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

Export growth reported with modest rise while trade deficit persisted; sectoral gains and declines noted, figures provisional. India's merchandise exports in April 2012 were reported at US$ 24.50 billion against imports of US$ 37.9 billion, yielding a negative trade balance; engineering and basic chemicals recorded notable export growth while gems & jewellery and cotton textiles declined, and imports rose in petroleum products, machinery and coal but fell for gold, silver and precious stones, with the Commerce Secretary noting these are provisional estimates subject to revision.