ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Export of readymade garments in January witnessed a robust growth of 17 per cent, but total exports of textile-related products declined by one per cent in the month over the same period last year.

Official figures released here on Friday by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) indicated that growth in garment export was in the range of five per cent during the period of July-January in the current fiscal year over the same period last year.

However, total export of textile-related products witnessed a growth of 5.45 per cent in the seven months of the current fiscal year over last year.

The upward trend in export of garments started since November 2006 following announcement of cash subsidies and other financial incentives for the sector, among others.

The growth in export of garments was 31 per cent and 15 per cent in November and December 2006, respectively, as compared to the growth in the same months last year.

The sudden decline in export of overall textile products in January 2007 again is believed to have occurred due to the alleged delay in shipment of export proceeds as exporters are pushing hard for another subsidy package, which is in the pipeline, and is expected to be announced sometimes in the near future.

Statistics showed that export of knitwear also recorded a growth of 17.73 per cent during January 2007 over the last year month. Export of knitwear grew by more than 16 per cent.

This growth is also because of cash subsidies given to the sector for last few months.

A decline of 13.50 per cent in export of knitwear was registered in January 2007 over the same month last year and 32.50 per cent in towels export during the period under review over last year.

Export of raw cotton, cotton yarn, cotton cloth and cotton cloth recorded a negative growth by 33.3 per cent, 13.32 per cent, 19.42 per cent and 91.03 per cent, respectively, during the month of January 2007 over the same month last year.

Export of yarn, other than cotton yarn, was up by 208.36 per cent, tents, canvas 64 per cent, art, silk and synthetic textile 273 per cent, made-up articles 3.05 per cent and other textile materials 21.18 per cent during the period under review over last year.

The total export proceeds reached $6.187 billion during the July-January period of the fiscal year 2006-07 as against $5.867 billion last year, indicating a growth of 5.45 per cent.