Exports dip 11 per cent to $12.5 b

 For the April-October period merchandise consignments dropped by 26.5 per cent to US$90.4 billion, over the same period last fiscal.

Major segments like gems and jewellery, handicrafts, apparel and petroleum products showed decline, though at a lesser pace, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said on Wednesday. Most of these exports head for the western markets, impacted severely by the recession. India’s exports stood at US$185 billion in 2008-09. The shipments began declining from October last year.