May 23, 2006	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1427

ISLAMABAD, May 22: The export of textile products increased by 18.89 per cent to $8.022 billion during the July-April period of the current fiscal year compared to $6.747 billion the same period last year. The Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) figures on Monday showed that the export of textile products rose by 16.20 per cent to $821.401 million in April 2006 as against $706.901 million the same month last year.

Similarly, the export of readymade garments surged 29.30 per cent to $1.098 billion during the July-April period compared to $0.849 billion the same period last year.

The export of cotton yarn and cotton cloth rose by 32.09pc and 16.31pc to $1.122 billion and $1.746 billion respectively during the July-April period as against $0.849 billion and $1.501 billion the same period of last year.

Knitwear and bedwear exports increased by 5.10pc and 50.88pc to $1.396 billion and $1.657 billion respectively during the period compared to $1.328 billion and $1.098 billion the same period last year. The export of towels showed an increase of 12.02 per cent to $472.713 million.

However, the export of made-up articles including other textile declined by 12.21 per cent to $341.919 million during the period under review; art, silk and synthetic textile down by 34.45pc to $164.763 million, canvas and tarpulin declined by 60.91 per cent to $22.385 million over the same period of last year.

The export of auto parts increased by 39.93pc, footwear 7.65pc, chemical and pharmaceutical products by 4.23pc, gems 7.40pc and engineering goods 13.92pc during the period under review over the same period last year. However, the export of molasses also fell by 34.44pc, furniture 16.70pc and jewellery 40.12pc.

The export of primary commodities registered an overall growth of 18.89 per cent during the July-April period over the same period last year. These included export of rice which surged 26.40pc, fish and fish preparations 35.31pc, spices 63.46pc.