India’s exports rise 19.63% to $44.24 billion in July; trade deficit widens to $31.98 billion

India’s exports increased by 19.63% to $44.24 billion in July, even as the trade deficit widened to $31.98 billion.

Imports rose by about 17.52% to $76.22 billion in July.

During April-July this fiscal, exports jumped 17.04 % to $173.78 billion, and imports climbed 19.27% to $292.38 billion.

India’s exports to West Asian countries rose 8.62% to $5.7 billion in July, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said in a press briefing on trade data.

Agarwal attributed the increase in the country’s outbound shipments to higher exports of petroleum products, electronics, engineering and marine goods.