Encouraging exports

Govt must take steps to sustain the rebound

India’s merchandise exports went up nearly 200 per cent in April, year-on-year, to $30.21 billion. While a large part of the jump can be explained by the lower base of last year, exports are benefiting from the pickup in global demand. Even compared to April 2019, exports went up by about 16 per cent. The preliminary data suggests that the trend continues in May as well, led by petroleum products, engineering goods, and the gems and jewellery segments. Agricultural exports are also showing a huge increase. While India exported a record amount of rice last fiscal year, wheat exports too