April 2010 trade snippets

The economic crisis-worn exports sector posted a staggering 36.2% growth in April to $16.9 billion, but the government tempered the euphoria saying growth appeared large due to low base effect on account of last year’s poor showing. Last April, exports had shrunk nearly 30% to $12.4 billion as a result of a worldwide financial crisis. Imports, too, increased in April by 43.3% to $27.3 billion from $19.1 billion a year ago. Trade deficit for April was $10.4 billion against $6.7 billion in the year-ago period.