MUMBAI: Services exports rose by 9.5 per cent to $ 12.28 billion, according to the Reserve Bank (RBI) data released today.

In February 2012, the services exports by Indian companies stood at $ 11.22 billion. However, the exports in February were down from a month ago at $ 13.89 billion in January 2013.

"The services exports are not on expected lines. We require double digit growth in services exports. In the present scenario, there is a contraction in global demand in merchandise trade," Director General and CEO of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Ajay Sahai said.

Import of services (payments) in February 2013 stood at $ 6.35 billion versus $ 6.75 billion a year earlier. In January 2013, the services import stood at $ 7.52 billion.

The services sector contributes more than 50 per cent to the country's gross domestic product.

During April-February period of 2012-13, the cumulative services receipt or exports have amounted to $ 121.18 billion.

Imports of services were valued at $ 73.68 billion during the 11 months period in 2012-13.

Sahai said the Federation is expecting better exports data in services and sees $ 160 billion services receipt in the full year 2012-13.

RBI releases the provisional aggregate monthly data on India's international trade in services with a lag of 45 days.

The monthly data on services are provisional and generally undergo revision when the Balance of Payments (BoP) data are released on a quarterly basis.