Rising export might handle strengthening rupee, say observers

Rupee is 3rd-best performing currency in Asia against dollar behind South Korea's won, Taiwan Dollar

A strengthening rupee might not hit exports, which grew 17 per cent in February, in the near term, traders and economists believe.

The rupee on Thursday was at a 17-month high against the dollar, despite the US Federal Reserve announcement on hiking interest rates. Maintaining a strong position over recent months, the rupee has risen by 3.4 per cent till date this calendar year.

On the other hand, rising for a sixth straight month, exports posted the highest rate of rise in a little more than five years. Outbound trade touched $24.5 billion in February; it was $20.8 bn in the same