Exports decline 9.7% in August

During April-August, the shipment dipped by about 6% to USD 120 billion from USD 127.6 billion in the same period last year, Commerce Secretary S R Rao told reporters here.

Imports during the month, too, slipped by 5.08% to USD 38 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 15.7 billion.

During the first five months of the current fiscal, imports contracted by 6.2% to USD 191.1 billion. Trade deficit during the period under review stood at USD 71.1 billion. "Trade gap is well under control," Rao said.