Exports grow 11 months on trot, rise 43% to $35.65 billion in October

The widening of deficit was led by a surge in import of goods ahead of the festival season and the hardening of commodity prices

Merchandise exports grew for the eleventh consecutive month to $35.65 billion, up 43 per cent on-year in October, as external demand continued to remain robust.

The preliminary data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed growth being driven by higher demand for items, primarily engineering goods, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, as well as organic and inorganic chemicals, among other items.

Compared with pre-Covid levels of October 2019, growth in the value of goods exported was up nearly 36 per cent. Exports have been on an upward trajectory for close to a year now, with the value of exports hovering around