Exports registered a robust growth of 46.4 per cent year-on-year in June to $29.2 billion on account of increasing demand in Western markets.
Imports, too, grew at a high rate of 42.4 per cent to $36.9 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $7.7 billion for the month.
“$29.2 billion figure is a very, very high number for exports. Virtually all sectors grew well,” the Commerce Secretary, Dr Rahul Khullar, told reporters here.
During April-June, 2011-12, exports grew 45.7 per cent to $79 billion and imports shot up $36.2 per cent to $110.6 billion, Dr Khullar said.
During the first quarter of the current fiscal, the trade deficit stood at $31.6 billion.
The exporting sectors that registered strong growth during the quarter include engineering, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, readymade garments and electronics.