Exports up 22% in Aug at $16.6bn

NEW DELHI: India\'s merchandise shipments grew 22.5% to $16.64 billion in August compared to the same period last fiscal, raising hopes that the figure may touch $210 billion this fiscal. However, imports also jumped by over 32% yearon-year to $29.67 billion in August , keeping up the pressure on trade deficit.



Commerce secretary Rahul Khullar had said last fortnight that export growth was relatively slow and well below the level of 2008-09 . But Federation of Indian Export Organisations president A Sakthivel said the latest growth figures reiterated exporters\' view that India\'s shipments were on course to achieve this fiscal\'s target or even surpass it at $210 billion.



During the April-August period this fiscal, exports grew at 28.6% to $5.27 billion on a year-on-year basis. Imports during this period rose by 33% to $141.89 billion.



The country\'s trade deficit widened to over $13 billion in August compared to the yearago period.




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