Exports up 40.54% on-year in first fortnight of October.

India's exports in the first two weeks of October rose 40.54% year-on-year to $15.13 billion. Of this, $7.26 billion were clocked during October 8-14.

Imports during the period were $23.81 billion, rising 60.72% from the year-ago period, leading to a trade deficit of $8.68 billion. When compared to the corresponding period of FY20, the imports were up 45.08%.

Non-petroleum exports increased 29.56% during the period while non-petroleum imports were up 55.95%, officials said.

India has set a target of $400 billion exports for FY22 and in the first six months of the fiscal, merchandise exports were almost $198 billion.