ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: The export of cotton yarn, bedwear and readymade garments declined by an average 12.89 per cent during the July-November period of the current fiscal year over the same period of last year.

Official figures compiled by the commerce ministry showed that exports of tents, canvas and tarpaulin; art, silk and synthetic textile also declined by an average 52 per cent during the period.

The value of total textile manufactures stood at $3.209 billion during the first five months against $3.128 billion the same period of last year, showing a marginal increase of 2.59 per cent.

Further analysis showed that export of cotton yarn declined by 5.21 per cent to $366.443 million compared to $386.580 million the same period of last year; export of bedwear declined by 28.45 per cent to $395.183 million against $552.306 million of last year.

The export of readymade garments declined by 5.01 per cent to $394.653 million during the period under review compared to $415.482 million the same period of last year; the export of tents, canvas and tarpulin declined by 50.20 per cent to $13.171 million against $26.446 million of last year.

And Pakistan's export of art, silk and synthetic textile declined by 53.73 per cent to $111.363 million against $240.703 million the same period of last year.

The textile manufactures showed that the export of cotton cloth, knitwear, towels and made-up articles registered an average growth of 23.66 per cent during the first five months of this fiscal year over the same period of last year.

The export of cotton cloth increased by 10.29 per cent; knitwear by 53.84 per cent; towels by 17.66 per cent and made-up articles by 12.87 per cent during the period under review over the same period of last year.

The exporters would have to face tough competition in the garments sector with China and India in the international market following the abolishing of quota regime by end of the current month.