Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma held consultations with exporters today to firm up steps to boost exports which have been impacted by global slowdown ahead of the next Foreign Trade Policy, FTP. During the meeting, Apparel Export Promotion Council and Federation of Indian Export Organizations officials raised concerns over issues of high interest rates on export credit, high yarn prices and rising transactions costs, amid slowdown in the global economic environment. The Minister told reporters after the meeting that he will look into the recommendations of the exports council.Exports have declined by 4 per cent to 265.95 billion US Dollars during April-February 2013. Imports during the 11-month period grew by a mere 0.25 per cent to 448 billion US Dollars, leaving a trade deficit of 182.1 billion US Dollars.