New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS): Pakistan's exports to India in April-December 2012 grew by 66 percent over the same period in 2011, while India's exports to it increased by 16 percent, officials said Wednesday.

The figures were from an official statement issued by Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI).

Pakistan's exports to India in April-December 2012 stood at $460 million, which is more than $277 million during the same period in 2011, an official statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad said.

It is also more than the value of Pakistan's exports to India ($401 million) in the entire previous year (April 2011-March 2012).

The growth of $183 million in Pakistan's exports to India during April-December 2012 is more than the increase of about $170 million in its imports from India in the same period, the official statement said.

"MoCI figures also indicate that the share of Pakistan's exports in bilateral trade with India has almost doubled since 2009-10," it said.

The "impressive increase" in Pakistan's exports during April-December 2012 reflects the benefits of the steps taken to enhance bilateral trade, and improvement of trade environment, aided by SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Area) tariff reductions, it added.

In order to address concerns of Pakistan's exporters, the two countries had also signed three agreements in 2012 in areas of customs cooperation, mutual recognition of standards and redressal of trade grievances.

The release said a number of trade organisations in both countries have promoted greater exchange of trade and business delegations, specially in 2012.

"Liberalised visa provisions pertaining to business persons will further facilitate such exchanges," it said.