The country's exports grew 19(point)8 percent, to 24.6 billion dollars in April this year. Exports rose amid robust performance of the petroleum, textiles, engineering goods and gems and jewelery sectors. According to commerce ministry data, imports shot up 49 per cent, to 37.9 billion dollars in April. Consequently, the trade deficit widened to 13.2 billion dollars during the month under review, from 4.8 billion dollars a year ago. Gold imports rose 3-fold, to 3.9 billion dollars in April, from 1.2 billion dollars in the same month last year.