Remittances from Indian diaspora on the rise

NEW DELHI: Remittances from overseas Indians touched $67.6 billion in 2012-13, up from $66.1 billion the previous fiscal.

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told Lok Sabha today that there has been no decline in remittances from the approximately 25 million members of the Indian diaspora.

The amount was 55.6 billion US dollar in 2010-11. Gulf countries followed closely by North America accounted for the maximum amount of remittances with the former adding $24.93 billion to the Indian kitty in the previous fiscal.

Indian diaspora in North America contributed $23.22 billion.

The number of emigrants have also seen a growth. The number of persons granted emigration clearances in 2013 stood at 8,16,655 against 7,47,041 in 2012.