India’s exports registered a robust growth of 46.4 per cent year-on-year in June to USD 29.2 billion on account of increasing demand in Western markets.

Imports, too, grew at a high rate of 42.4 per cent to USD 36.9 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 7.7 billion for the month.

“USD 29.2 billion figure is a very, very high number for exports. Virtually all sectors grew well,” Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar told reporters in New Delhi.

During April-June, 2011-12, exports grew by 45.7 per cent to USD 79 billion and imports shot up by 36.2 per cent to USD 110.6 billion, Khullar said.

During the first quarter of the current fiscal, the trade deficit stood at USD 31.6 billion.

The exporting sectors that registered strong growth during the quarter include engineering, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, readymade garments and electronics.