India’s exports rose marginally to $34.58 billion
Exports of goods manufactured in the country rose marginally by 0.5 percent to $34.58 billion in September after two months of decline, reducing the trade deficit to $20.78 billion.
According to official data released on Wednesday, imports rose 1.6 percent to $55.36 billion in September, as against $54.49 billion in the same month a year ago. The trade deficit or the difference between imports and exports was $20.8 billion in the same month last year. In August, it increased to a 10-month high of $29.65 billion.
Compared to last year, exports declined by 9.3 percent in August and 1.2 percent in July. During April-September in the current financial year, exports rose 1 percent to $213.22 billion, while imports rose 6.16 percent to $350.66 billion. The trade deficit stood at $137.44 billion during the first half of the fiscal.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters here that despite global uncertainties, exports have registered positive growth during September and the first six months of this fiscal. Engineering, chemicals, plastics, pharma, readymade garments and electronics were among the key drivers of exports.