JOIN USLast April, exports had shrunk nearly 30 per cent to $12.4 billion in line with a nine per cent contraction in global trade as a result of a worldwide financial crisis.
Barring food grains and handicrafts, all other sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery and marine products performed well in April.
Imports too increased in April by 43.3 per cent to $27.3 billion from $19.1 billion a year ago. Trade deficit for April was $10.4 billion against $6.7 billion in the year-ago period.
Oil imports increased to $8.1 billion against $4.7 billion in April last year.
However, briefing reporters Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said: “don’t get carried away by these numbers... because base was low and that’s why you have an increase in percentage terms. You are still running below the export level in April 2008-09.”