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