INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
imports, while exports growth remained low, deepening concerns for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who wants to accelerate economic expansion
ahead of elections.PM Modi, who has set a target of doubling India's share of world exports and reducing its dependence on imports to
create jobs, faces criticism from businesses for not doing enough in the last five years.India's goods exports have shown little growth
since PM Modi took charge in 2014, as small exporters - contributing nearly 35 per cent to total exports - have been hit hard by rising
input costs after the chaotic launch of national sales tax in 2017.In January, merchandise exports rose 3.74 per cent from a year earlier to
$26.36 billion, while imports were up 0.01 per cent to $41.09 billion, data released by the commerce ministry on Friday showed.The gold
imports in January rose 38.16 per cent year-on-year to $2.31 billion, widening the trade deficit to $14.73 billion compared to $13.08
billion in the previous month.Indian exports of textiles, agricultural products and engineering items have been hit hard due to a shortage
of bank credit and delay in refund of input credit under the goods and services tax, exporters said."Exports by small companies could have
done much better if supported by flow of bank credit," said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.He
said Indian exports face a tough time in 2019 following a slowdown in global economic growth and trade.India's total April-January
exports, including goods and services, are estimated to touch $440 billion, up 9.07 per cent from a year ago, while imports were estimated
at $530.55 billion, up 10.74 per cent, the government statement said.India's goods exports, which had touched $314.4 billion in 2013/14,
have been slowly recovering after falling to $262.3 billion in 2015/16.US-China Trade WarExporters said Indian exports have not benefited
much from the US-China trade war, while countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh have increased their share in export of items like textiles to
the United States, gaining from a fall in Chinese exports.On Thursday, trade officials of India and the United States met in Delhi and
announced plans to boost bilateral trade in energy, aerospace, defence, pharmaceuticals and healthcare as part of continuing commercial
dialogue.India and the United States are at odds over a range of trade issues, from India's new rules on e-commerce that affect firms such
as Amazon and Walmart to Indian data localisation and tariffs that US President Donald Trump says are exceptionally high.Indian goods
exports to the United States rose 10.5 per cent during April-Dec, marginally lower than 11.8 per cent growth during a year ago period, while
imports from the US rose by more than 35 per cent during that period, commerce ministry data showed.
