The country's exports shrank 24.4 per cent, to 20 billion dollars in November this year, amid a global economic slowdown. Exports have now contracted for the 12th month in a row. According to Commerce Ministry data, imports slumped 30.3 per cent, to 29.8 billion dollars during the month. Consequently, the trade deficit fell to 9.78 billion dollars in November this year, from 16.23 billion dollars in November last year. But the trade deficit in November was marginally higher than that the trade deficit of 9.76 billion dollars in October. Gold imports in November fell 36.5 per cent , oil imports tumbled almost 45 per cent, and non-oil imports dropped 24.7 per cent.