Continuing to grow at a strong rate, the country's exports increased 34.4 per cent, to 23.8 billion dollars in April this year, compared to April last year. Imports rose 14.1 per cent, to 32.8 billion dollars in April, leaving a trade gap of 8.9 billion dollars, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry on Wednesday.Exports had grown by 44 per cent in March. Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said the slower growth in April, compared to March, was not a big concern, as March is always a peak month.Crude oil imports rose 7.7 per cent, to cross 10 billion dollars in April. Non-oil imports grew 17.3 per cent, to 22.6 billion dollars during the month. The country's total merchandise exports had grown by an robust 37.6 per cent during the last fiscal.