February 20, 2008	Wednesday	Safar 12, 1429

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: India on Tuesday extended tax breaks to exporters to cover the transport and storage of goods, the finance ministry said, in a bid to offset losses incurred due to a rise in the value of the rupee.

The move comes a week ahead of the annual budget and after export growth slowed to 16 per cent in December from a year ago, sharply lower than annual expansion of 27pc in November.

On Tuesday, the finance ministry said it would refund exporters taxes paid on moving goods from inland depots to sea ports and airports, and those incurred in storing goods at warehouses.

Taxes will also be refunded when exporters use courier services to send documents abroad, it said in a statement.—Reuters