India's foreign trade down by 6.6 pc

New Delhi, Dec 1 : India's exports during October, 2009 were valued at US USD 13193 million (Rs. 61639 crore) which was 6.6 per cent lower in dollar terms (minus 10.3 per cent in Rupee terms) than the level of US USD 14131 million (Rs. 68754 crore) during October, 2008.

Cumulative value of exports for the period April- October, 2009 was US USD 91048 million (Rs 439835crore) as against US USD 123038 million (Rs. 533205 crore) registering a negative growth of 26.0 per cent in Dollar terms and 17.5 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year, said a government statement on Tuesday.

India's imports during October, 2009 were valued at US USD 21994 million (Rs.102759 crore) representing a decrease of 15.0 per cent in dollar terms (minus 18.4 per cent in Rupee terms) over the level of imports valued at US USD 25869 million ( Rs. 125868 crore) in October, 2008. Cumulative value of imports for the period April- October 2009 was US USD 148367 million (Rs. 716535 crore) as against US USD 210864 million (Rs. 916483 crore) registering a negative growth of 29.6 per cent in Dollar terms and 21.8 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.

Oil imports during October, 2009 were valued at US USD 6608 million which was 9.3 per cent lower than oil imports valued at US USD 7285 million in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April- October, 2009 were valued at USUSD 42864 million which was 39.3 per cent lower than the oil imports of US USD 70570 million in the corresponding period last year.

Non-oil imports during October, 2009 were estimated at US USD 15387 million which was 17.2 per cent lower than non-oil imports of US USD 18584 million in October, 2008. Non-oil imports during April- October, 2009 were valued at USUSD 105503 million which was 24.8 per cent lower than the level of such imports valued at USUSD 140295 million in April- October, 2008.

The trade deficit for April- October, 2009 was estimated at US USD 57318 million which was lower than the deficit of US USD 87827 million during April-October, 2008.