India's exports declined by 9.9 per cent in November 2008, posting negative growth for the second month running under the impact of a slowdown in major global markets.

Exports dropped to $11.5 billion in November this fiscal, from USD 12.7 billion a year ago while imports grew by 6.1 per cent to USD 21.5 billion, leaving a monthly trade deficit of $10 billion, according to official figures released on Thursday.

Export contracts by 12.1 per cent in October, showing a negative trend for the first time in the last five years.

For the April-November period, the country's cumulative exports grew by 19.4 per cent to $119.30 billion. Growth for the first half of the fiscal was 30.9 per cent.

Imports between April and November went up by 33 per cent to $203.64 billion. The trade deficit for the period has mounted to $84.34 billion from $53.19 billion.

With the US and several European countries slipping into full-blown recession, Indian exporters have run into difficult times, especially since October.

Concerns have been raised at large-scale job losses in several export-oriented industries like textiles, handicrafts, and gems and jewellery.