Indian Exports Rise 10.1% In January

India's merchandise exports increased from last year in January, data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed Thursday.

The value of exports increased 10.1 percent on an annual basis to $25.347 billion in January. Imports advanced 20.25 percent year-on-year to $40.108 billion during the month. Oil imports climbed 26.78 percent annually, while non-oil imports advanced 17.56 percent.

The trade balance for the month was a deficit of $14.761 billion, wider than the $10.332 billion deficit recorded a year earlier.

In the April 2011 to January 2012 period, the value of shipments advanced 23.47 percent from the same period a year earlier. In the 10-month period ending January, total arrivals increased 29.4 percent from last year. The trade balance was a deficit of $148.668 billion during the period, up from last year's $105.896 billion deficit.