Merchandise exports rose 45.1% year-on-year to a record $49.47 billion in October, marking their fastest growth in five years, according to a report by GTRI. Five key sectors, engineering goods, petroleum products, electronic goods, gems and jewellery, and organic and inorganic chemicals, accounted for nearly 83% of the surge. Exports from these sectors rose 59.4% to $34.37 billion in October.