India achieves $300 bn exports target for 2011-12

New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI) Despite a challenging economic environment in its major markets of the US and Europe, India crossed the export target of USD 300 billion for fiscal 2011-12 ended March 31, 2012. "I am happy to announce that India's exports have crossed USD 300 billion in the last financial year," India's Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told reporters here. The sectors that performed very well include engineering, gems and jewellery, textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, Sharma said. Total imports last fiscal also grew to USD 485 billion, primarily because of high petroleum prices, he said. Imports of petroleum as well as gold and silver rose to USD 150 billion and USD 60 billion, respectively during 2011-12. However, these figures are provisional, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said, adding that the final data will be released later this month. "We were on course, despite very difficult global scenario, the contraction of demand in some of traditional destinations .... Diversification into new markets has positively worked towards meeting our target," the minister added. Trade deficit, which grew to USD 185 billion, is a big challenge for the current fiscal as well, Sharma said. With exports during fiscal 2010-11 at USD 251.14 billion, provisional export figure for 2011-12 at USD 300 billion makes for a growth of 19.46%. Imports during the year went by 31.16% from the 2011-12 level of USD 369.77 billion. PTI