India's exports grew by 12.97 per cent to 26.14 billion US dollar last month as compared to the level of 23.14 billion US dollar during the same period of last year. Briefing reporters about the trade data in New Delhi today, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said that imports declined 0.68 per cent to 37.05 billion US dollar in August 2013. He said, trade deficit narrowed to 10.9 billion in Augustfrom 14.7 billion in the corresponding month last fiscal. Giving gold imports data, the Minister said that its imports dipped to 0.65 billion US dollar in Augustfrom 2.2 billion US dollar in July this year. Mr Sharma also said that exports are picking up as demand is improving in both traditional and new markets. He said measures to promote exports are bearing fruit and hoped the good harvest monsoon would help economic to grow this year.The Minister also said Russia has lifted a ban on import of non-Basmati rice from India.