June 4, 2002	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 22,1423

LAHORE, June 3: The share of the value-added products in the country’s exports has considerably increased during this fiscal year, says commerce minister Abdul Razak Dawood.

Speaking at a function here on Monday, the minister said the share of value-added textile products in the total textile exports had increased to 57 per cent this year.

He said the government was working out export target for the next financial year but it was yet to be finalized.

Pakistan expects its exports for the year to touch the figure $9 billion as against the actual target of $10.1 billion. The target was slashed in view of the adverse effects of 9/11 on the country’s exports.

The minister said he was happy that the country’s foreign exchange reserves had gone up due to improved home remittances. But, he added, he would be happier if the reserves increased because of improved exports.