After falling consecutively for 18 months, India's merchandise exports grew in June witnessing a hike of 1.27 percent in the month.
Exports in June were USD 22.5 billion compared with USD 22.2 billion in the year ago period while imports declined 7.33 percent to USD 30.6 billion from USD 33.1 billion in June 2015.
Meanwhile, the trade deficit widened to USD 8.1 billion vis-a-vis USD 6.27 billion in May.
The Commerce and Industry ministry in its statement said, "For the first time after a gap of 18 months, exports in June 2016 have recorded a positive growth of 1.27 percent."
18 out of 30 exporting sectors showed growth in shipment with handicrafts leading the pack with a whopping 91.98 percent increase.
Also, the gold imports declined almost 38.5 percent to USD 1.2 billion last month.
On the other hand, the data released by RBI showed exports worth USD 13.4 billion and imports of USD 7.9 billion in May.
