Exports up 23% to $10.6bn in April 07BS Reporter / New Delhi June 1, 2007The latest trade data figures show that exports for April 2007 grew 23.06% at $10.57 billion as compared to $ 8.59 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. This growth seems quite commendable given that the rupee has been appreciating sharply for the past few months.However, some trade experts say the actual growth rate may actually be lower than 23.06%, as they feel that the April data include figures from previous months because of late filing of shipping bills in earlier months.Imports during April also witnessed a sharp hike of 40% and stood at $ 17.63 billion as against $12.53 billion during April, 2006. Oil imports stood at $4.42 billion, an 11.4% increase over $3.97 billion in the year ago month. Non-oil imports during April 2007 stood at $13.21 billion over $8.56 billion, a rise of 54.29%.The trade deficit for April 2007 stood at $7.06 billion against $3.94 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year, an increase of 79.18%.Commenting on the export performance, Commerce minister Kamal Nath said:
