Merchandise exports from the country increased by 12.36 percent y-o-y at $27.03 billion in December from $26.19 billion in November 2017, official data showed Monday.

A press release of the commerce ministry shows that exports during last month exhibited a growth of 12.36 per cent on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis.

"Exports during December 2017 have exhibited positive growth of 12.36 per cent in dollar terms vis-a-vis December 2016," the ministry said in a statement.

"Exports have been on a positive trajectory since August 2016 to December 2017 with a dip of 1.1 per cent in the month of October 2017."

However, the country's imports during the month under review also increased to $41.91 billion from $40.02 billion in November and $34.60 billion reported for the corresponding period of the previous year.

Cumulative value of exports for the period April-December 2017-18 was US $ 223512.58 million as against US $ 199467.14 million, registering a positive growth of 12.05 percent over the same period last year.