KATHMANDU, MARCH 27 Imports through the Birgunj Customs Office reached Rs 595.46 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the same period last year. According to the customs office, imports during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year stood at Rs 536.55 billion, indicating a rise of Rs 58.91 billion this year. Petroleum products accounted for the largest share of imports, followed by iron and steel goods. Information officer Uday Singh Bista said five types of petroleum products worth Rs 123.67 billion were imported during the review period. Imports of iron and iron-based products stood at Rs 52.75 billion. Other major imports included machinery parts worth Rs 42.48 billion, crude soybean oil worth Rs 41.20 billion, electrical machinery and parts worth Rs 30.91 billion, fertilisers worth Rs 28.59 billion, and textiles worth Rs 23.71 billion. (With inputs from RSS)