TRADE WITH SAARC COUNTRIES UP BY 43%

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India's trade with SAARC Countries has increased by 43.18% from Rs.7510.20 crore during 1999-2000 to Rs.10, 753.53 crore during the year 2000-2001. During the financial year 2001-2002 (April-December) India's trade with SAARC region has increased to Rs.9104.44 crore from Rs.7490.24 crore during the corresponding period previous year, showing an increase of 21.55%. The imports from SAARC countries have increased to Rs.2092.97 crore during the April-December period in 2001-2002 from Rs.1411.10 crore during the corresponding period in 2000-2001. This information was given by Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in a written reply in Lok Sabha last week. India has entered into bilateral trade arrangements with all countries in the South Asia region except Pakistan. The countries in the South Asia are given special incentives to participate in the annual India International Trade Fair in New Delhi to make them aware of the Indian export potential.