With the signing of a landmark trade deal with the European Union and the US trade agreement in sight, growth momentum is likely to be sustained for a longer period, Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Friday. "While services exports are expected to remain strong, merchandise exports will get a boost from the prospective trade deal with the US. The landmark comprehensive trade pact with the European Union, coupled with trade deals with New Zealand and Oman, should help diversify exports and strengthen the external sector," he said in his Monetary Policy Committee statement.