Imports Of 300 Sensitive Items Rise 40%

Imports of 300 sensitive items during the first quarter of the current fiscal have registered an increase of 40 per cent on account of a significant increase in import of crude palm oil and soya bean oil.

According to the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) data today, imports of the sensitive items increased to Rs 3,323 crore during April-June 2002-03 as against Rs 2,379 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Increase in imports was mainly on account of a significant rise in imports of edible oils which jumped to Rs 2,396 crore, during the first quarter 2002-03 from Rs 1,378 crore in the same period a year ago, an official release said here.

While imports of crude palm oil increased that of refined soya bean and palm oil declined, leading to better utilisation of the processing capacity, the release said adding imports of sunflower oil both crude and refined had also declined.

Imports of the other sensitive items pertaining to foodgrains, cotton and silk products and alcoholic beverages have shown a decline. Imports of milk and milk products, fruit and vegetables, edible oil, marble and granite and automobiles registered an increase during the period.

Products of concern to the small-scale sector, which account for 98 tariff lines, showed a marginal increase during the period to Rs 28.96 crore from around Rs 23.74 crore during April-June 2001.