Export growth fall

NEW DELHI: THE export scenario continues to be dismal with the first quarter of the 1997-98 fiscal registering a negative growth over the corresponding period period last year. The growth achieved was a measly 0.95 per cent in this period.

The current fiscal started with a negative growth rate of 10.06 per cent in April over the same month of 1996. The rate further dropped to 1.98 per cent in April-May over the corresponding period last year.

Exports are valued at 8,134.95 million against 8,212.87 million, as per the latest official trade data released by the commerce ministry on Friday. Imports at 9,532.30 million, too, were only marginally higher by 4.22 per cent than the 9,146.27 million level in the above period. This indicates that lull in industrial activity continues.