Exports decline for 13th month in a row

New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Exports declined 11.4 per cent to
USD 12.5 billion in October, negative for the 13th straight
month, as demand in the global markets continue to contract.
For the April-October period of the current financial
year the country's merchandise consignments dropped by 26.5
per cent to USD 90.4 billion, over the same period last
fiscal.
Major segments like gems and jewellery, handicrafts,
apparel and petroleum products showed decline, though at a
lesser pace, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar told reporters
here on Wednesday. Most of these exports head for the western
markets, impacted severely by the recession.
India's exports stood at USD 185 billion in 2008-09. The
shipments began declining from October last year. PTI RR