ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Exports of textile manufactures leaped 20.64 per cent during July-August 2002, as compared to corresponding period of previous year.

Their export figures, according to the detailed data about foreign trade released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics here on Tuesday, totalled $1.15 billion. Consequently, the manufactured textiles further improved their share in the exports of manufactured items from about 71 per cent to 73 per cent for the period under review.

The mercantile exports of Pakistan during the two-month period amounted to $1.71 billion — 17.02 per cent more than the comparable period of previous year.

Apparently, it was the strident performance of textile manufactures sector that also contributed to the surge in exports of overall manufactures. The period under review registered an increase of 17.91% as compared to July-August 2001. Their share in total exports also surged to 92.16% as against 91.48% during the corresponding period of previous year.

Among textile manufactures, cotton cloth maintained its top position with exports totalling $221.88 million, increasing their share in textile manufactures exports from 16.23% during the previous year to 19.28% this year.

Significantly, the cotton yarn has been relegated to 5th position among textile manufactures for the first time in living memory. Until August 2002, it had remained at second position after cotton cloth.

The quantity of cotton yarn exported during the period under review was 91,591 tons, still 8.30% more than the same period of 2001-02. Yet, in terms of value ($159.64 million), the country earned 0.16% less, denoting continued decline in its unit price.

The items, besides cotton cloth, which stole the limelight from cotton yarn were: knitwear ($189.63 million), bedwear ($193.69 million) and readymade garments ($188.31 million).

Almost all the categories of value-added textile manufactures registered positive growth which ranged from 4% (madeup articles including other textiles) to as much as 55.13% (towels).

Another significant aspect relates to unit price. With the sole exception of knitwear, all the items fetched higher price per unit than during the same period of previous year. The items export of which was negative — readymade garments and tents, canvas & tarpaulin — showed positive growth in terms of value, thanks to increase in unit price. The impressive performance of textile manufactures is in contrast to the sluggishness witnessed in respect of other manufactures ($282,89 million). The exports of items under this category fell by 7.03%.

The proportion of manufactured exports contributed by this category fell by a drastic 5% to 17.90% during the period under review.

Carpets was the only item among the traditional exports of Pakistan that registered a significant rise (32.13%) in dollars. The exports of sports goods dropped by 0.76%, leather manufactures by 19.76%, surgical goods by 19.86%, and cutlery by 16.19%.

Among the non-traditional categories, engineering goods stand out for their brilliant performance. According to FBS data, their exports surged by 51.71% to stand at $9.95 million.

Others comprising a large number of small items too improved their exports by 78.44%. Their share in manufactured exports went up to 9.22% as against 6.09% during July-August 2001.

PRIMARY COMMODITIES: The exports of primary commodities increased by 7.72% to $134.32 million, denoting 1.32% drop in their share in overall exports.