Merchandise exports touched $301.38 billion in April-December 2021, a 26.49% increase over same period in 2019. Imports touched $443.82 billion for the same period, a 21.87% increase.
As edible oil prices hit record highs, govt reduced duty on crude palm oil to 10% from 15%. To further cool down prices, licence-free import of palm oil products was allowed till 31 Dec.
Exports of sectors such as engineering, gems and jewellery and petroleum products recorded healthy growth rates. During the same period, imports too rose by 98.33% to $19.59 billion.
Imports rose by over three-folds to $45.45 billion last month as against $17.09 billion in April 2020, according to data released by the commerce ministry.
US sanctions on Russia as well as its determination to paint Vladimir Putin as the bad guy is driving Moscow into Beijing’s arms. Make no mistake, this is a willing embrace.
India hasn’t signed the RCEP, leading to concerns that it will get isolated. But it’s a China-centric deal that would have few advantages for India’s exports.
The contraction in August was higher than in July (10.21 per cent) and June (12.41 per cent). Oil imports also declined by 41.62 per cent to $6.42 billion in the month.
There is no way Indians can live without most of the 8,000-odd stuff the country imports from China. So it's just better to wait for the tensions at LAC to simmer down.
Pakistan must reduce non-productive expenditures like defence. The country's political economy has been overdetermined by the imperative of 'national security'.
Aim is to ensure not just disengagement of troops, but overall de-escalation. Govt in favour of solving tensions through talks as it wants peace with all neighbours including China.
Like the car, nothing the party has done to reinvent itself has worked. Only way forward is to offer something looking towards the future, not in image of glorious past.