Exports in FY13 unlikely to touch last year's level: Sharma

India's exports may not be able to reach even the last year's level of about $306 billion, and the trade deficit is likely to widen between $193 billion and $196 billion in the current fiscal, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said today.

"We are looking at the number (exports) and what is very disturbing and challenging is that we have not even reached where we were before (last fiscal's) $306 billion," Sharma said at the Board of Trade meeting here.

The high-level Board of Trade (BOT) meeting was chaired by Sharma and had representation from the ministries of Finance, External Affairs and Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Board of Trade meeting suggests steps to prepare the way for the annual supplement to the Foreign Trade Policy (2009-2014), expected to be unveiled in April.

Given the high level of imports and lesser exports, the trade deficit will become challenging because it directly affects the current account deficit, which in turn will put pressure on rupee, Sharma said.

He added a weak rupee would also not help Indian exporters, as importers who will also feel the pinch will ask for more discount.

"The trade deficit was $182 billion in the first 11 months of this fiscal. Whether it will be $12 billion or $15 billion more (in March)... Trade deficit will definitely be between $193 billion and $196 billion in the current fiscal.

"This is not a small number and that is where the crisis is. Therefore every institution must ensure faster movement," Sharma said.

During the April-February period, exports declined by 4 per cent to $265.95 billion. Imports during the 11-month period grew by a mere 0.25 per cent to $448 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $182.1 billion.