04 September 2004	Saturday	18 Rajab 1425

ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: Pakistan's trade deficit with Dubai registered a staggering increase of 1,530 per cent to $337 million during the year 2003-04 compared to $20.7 million a year ago.

Officials told Dawn that this huge trade deficit was the result of a sharp increase in import of ships and boats, machinery and parts, chemical material and other products from the Arab state during the year under review.

It was only in the year 1999-2000 when Pakistan had a trade surplus of $93.9 million with Dubai. But in the year of 2000-01 the surplus turned into deficit of $115.6 million and since then the balance of trade was remain in favour of Dubai.

The volume of trade between the two countries stood at $2.125 billion during 2003-04 against $2.033 billion in the previous year, indicating an increase of 4.52 per cent.

Pakistan's exports to Dubai declined by 11.1 per cent to $893.933 million in the year under review as against $1,006.547 million the previous year. While imports from Dubai increased by 19.8 per cent to $1.231 billion during the year against $1.027 billion in the previous year.

The statistics showed that Pakistan's export of following items showed a declining trend as petroleum and its products' export fell by 4.05 per cent during the year compared to the previous year; essentials oils and perfumes by 44.4 per cent; chemical materials and products by 14.8 per cent; cotton yarn by 3.82 per cent; cotton fabrics by 13.5 per cent; synthetic fabrics by 34 per cent; knitted or crocheted fabrics by 8.28 per cent; made-up articles of textile materials by 26.5 per cent; carpets and rugs by 39.6 per cent; machinery and parts by 22.9 per cent; footwear by 26.3 per cent and sports goods by 19.1 per cent.

Further, product wise analysis showed that Pakistan export following items showed increase as exports of fish and fish preparation up by 29.2 per cent; rice by 19.3 per cent; fruits, vegetables and preparations by 19.6 per cent; spices by 14.6 per cent; feeding stuff by 30.4 per cent; manufacture of base metals by 56 per cent; articles of apparel of textile materials by 2.09 per cent.

For the first time Pakistan exported ship and boat worth $1.290 million, furniture and parts thereof worth $3.613 million and $1.828 million worth sanitary plumbing, lighting during the year under review over the previous year.

The statistics showed that Dubai's export of raw cotton to Pakistan increased by 85.8 per cent during the year; essential oils and perfumes by 46.8 per cent; tyres and tubes and rubber by 75.7pc; iron, steel and manufacture thereof by 64pc; machinery and parts by 43.7 per cent; ores and concentrates of non-ferrous metals by 40 per cent.

The Arab state also exported road vehicles worth $13.864 million to Pakistan during the year under review; $279.647 million worth ship and boat; $1.124m worth prefabricated building.

However, Dubai exports of petroleum and petroleum products declined by 78.4 per cent; chemicals elements and compounds by 11.92 per cent during the year 2003-04 over the previous year.