Exports grow by 32.5 pc to USD 20.6 bn in January

New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI) India''s exports grew by a healthy32.5 per cent year-on-year to USD 20.6 billion in January,2011 on account of increasing demand in the western markets.

During April-January this fiscal, the country''s shipmentswent up by 29.4 per cent to USD 184.6 billion.

"It is a huge jump...Export performance is pretty damngood...By February, we should cross USD 200 billion," CommerceSecretary Rahul Khullar told reporters here.

Imports in January, 2011 is estimated to increase by 13.1per cent to USD 28.6 billion over the same period last year,leaving a trade deficit of USD 8 billion during the monthunder review, Khullar said.

During April-January, 2010-11, imports rose by 17.6 percent to USD 273.6 billion.

"The import numbers will be revised," Khullar added.

During the first 10 months of the financial year, tradedeficit stood at USD 89 billion.

Sectors that registered healthy growth duringApril-January, 2010-11 include gems and jewellery, engineeringand petroleum and oil lubricants, he added.