The recovery in shipment volume to West Asia after two months of decline and the high value of petroleum product shipments helped merchandise exports grow at the fastest rate in six months in May. Shipments rose 18% to $45.2 billion, and with the war in the region winding down prospects for the rest of the year look promising, government officials and trade circles feel. Exports to West Asia, which had fallen sharply to $2.62 billion in March as the war began, returned to last year’s level of $5.3 billion in May. “The May numbers are one of the highest monthly export data. Going by the trend, this year will be good for exports,’ Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said.