LAHORE, Jan 30: Pakistan’s footwear exports have increased considerably to Rs1.219 billion in the first five months (July- Nov) of the current fiscal year from Rs917.513 million during the corresponding period last year.

According to the PFMA, the export of the footwear is on the rise since last year when Pakistan exported footwear worth $42.457 million as compared to $37.233 million in the fiscal year 1999-00.

The footwear exports have been declining since 1996-97, when the industry touched the export figure of $51.513 million. The exports came sharply down to $42.984 million the very next day.

However, the industry sources are hopeful that this year the industry would cross the previous year’s mark despite difficult international circumstances, especially after the Sept 11 events, and dumping of footwear by China in the local market.