Exports up 21% in Jan to $8.45 bn

India's exports rose by a strong 21.46 per cent in January 2006 to $8.45 billion but trade deficit has widened to $33.82 billion so far this fiscal despite a slower 10.69 per cent growth in imports.

Cumulative exports so far this fiscal have risen by 18.8 per cent to $74.978 billion as against $63.076 billion during April-January 2004-05, according to the latest trade data released by the government on Tuesday.

Trade deficit has shot up by 48 per cent to $33.82 billion during April-January 2005-06 compared to $22.82 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal.

During January, exports increased by 21.46 per cent to $8.457 billion compared to $6.963 billion in the same month a year ago.

Imports during the month under review grew by 10.69 per cent at $11.367 billion as against $10.269 billion in the same month last fiscal.

Cumulative imports so far this fiscal surged 26.67 per cent to $108.802 billion compared to $85.896 billion in April-January 2004-05.

Oil imports during April-January 2005-06 soared 46.91 per cent to $35.292 billion while non-oil imports grew by a much slower rate of 18.8 per cent to 61.872 billion dollar during the period.