Exports cross 100 bn dollar mark; but trade gap widens

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) India's exports crossed the 100 billion dollar mark, but a big 46.84 per cent jump in oil imports pushed the country's total import bill to 140.32 billion dollar, thus widening the trade deficit to 39.63 billion dollar in fiscal 2005-06.

Exports during April-March 2005-06 were valued at 100.60 billion which is 24.71 per cent higher than the level of 80.67 billion dollar in the same period in the previous year.

Imports, last year, went up to 140.23 billion dollar representing an increase of 31.52 per cent over 104.63 billion dollar. Of the total imports in 2005-06, as much as 43.8 billion dollar were on account of oil imports which saw an increasing bill because of the hike in crude prices in the international market.

Against the increase of 31.52 per cent in the total imports, the oil imports went up by 46.84 per cent from 29.85 billion dollar in 2004-05.

The overall trade deficit went up to 39.63 billion dollar in 2005-06 against 25.95 billion dollar.

The non-oil imports increased by 25.56 per cent to 96.39 billion dollar against 76.77 billion dollar in 2004-05, according to official data released here today.

As for March 2006 exports were up 20.63 per cent to 10.90 billion dollar while imports went up to 13.81 billion dollar representing an increse of 18.68 per cent.

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