Textile Exports Fall 2.4 Per Cent In 6 Months

India's textiles exports during January-June 2001 have registered a 2.4 per cent decrease to $ 5.79 billion compared to about $ 5.93 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Export of readymade garments, the single largest export item from India, witnessed a decrease of 7.2 per cent to $ 2.65 billion in the first half of 2001, compared to 2.85 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Handicraft exports were the biggest losers with exports diping by 17.1 per cent from $ 634 million in the first six months of 2000 to $ 526 million this year.

Jute and coir exports, however, posted impressive growth rates. While coir exports nearly trebled from $ 53.1 million in 2000 to $ 141.7 million this year, coir exports from India registered a 156 per cent increase from $ 13.5 million to $ 34.7 million in the first half of 2001.