India's December exports up 16 pc,imports up 18 pc

New Delhi, Feb 01 (UNI) India's exports grew by 16.04 per cent to 12.31 billion dollars in December 2007, as against 10.61 billion dollars in the same month of 2006. However, in rupee terms, exports growth during the month stood at 2.54 per cent.

The country had fixed a 160-billion exports target for the current financial year and most estimates say it may not be achieved because of appreciation of rupee which has hit exports of textiles, leather goods and marine products.

Imports during the month at 17.68 billion dollars went up by 18.06 per cent from 14.97 billion dollars in December 2006.

For April-December period of 2007-08, India's exports at a little over 111 billion dollars registered a growth of 21.76 per cent over 91.20 billion dollars in the same period of 2006-07.

Imports during the first nine months of current fiscal grew 25.97 per cent to 168.87 billion dollars from 134.05 billion dollars in the year ago period.

Imports of non-oil goods increased 15.34 per cent to 11.71 billion dollars in December as against 10.15 billion dollar in December 2006, while Oil imports moved up 23.78 per cent to 5.96 billion dollars from 4.81 billion dollars in December 2006, the Commerce ministry said today.

Trade deficit for April-December stood at 57.82 billion dollars, up from 42.85 billion during the comparable period of 2006, the ministry added.

UNI SAA AK AS1518