1.4.3 FOREIGN TRADE
Export growth was negative at 5.5 per cent in 2012-13( April-December), compared to a positive 21.3 per cent in 2011-12( full year). Exports are estimated at $ 214.1 billion during 2012( April- December) as against imports of $ 361.3 billion. Trade deficit for 2012( April-December) was $ 147.2 billion as compared to $ 133.3 billion during the corresponding period of last year.
600 500
Percentage
400 300 200 100
0 2008- 09
2009- 10 2010- 11 2011- 12 2012- 13 Export
Import
NOTE: For 2012-13, data relates to April’ 12- December’ 12 period Figure 6 Source- Min of Commerce & Industry
1.4.4 Foreign Exchange Reserve
Foreign exchange reserves increased from $ 294.4 billion in end March 2012 to $ 295.5 in end January 2013. The reserves have shown a steady growth during the year.
1.4.5 External Debt
India’ s external debt stood at US $ 349.5 billion as of June end 2012, representing an increase of US $ 3.9 billion or 1.1 per cent over the end-March 2012. This Increase was primarily on account of Non-resident external rupee(( NR( E) RA) Significantly, the stock of multilateral debt and ECB at the end of June 2012 was lower than that of the level at end of March 2012. The decline in the stock of ECB was mainly due to higher repayments during the quarter.
India’ s external debt has remained within manageable limits as indicated by the external debt to GDP ratio of 17.8 per cent and debt service ratio of 4.2 per cent in 2010-11.
11