Export growth jumps to 23.4% in 9-mths

Export growth virtually doubled to 23.42% in the first nine months of 2004-05 as against 12.72% in the same period in 2003-04.

But the trade deficit during April-December 2004-05 widened by over $8 billion to $20.152 billion as against $11.764 billion in the corresponding period in 2003-04, mainly due to rise in crude oil prices and spurt in capital goods imports.

The country's exports during April-December 2004-05 was put at $53.498 billion, a growth of 23.42% over $43.346 billion during April-December 2003-04.