April 28, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1428

KARACHI, April 27: Import of machinery in Pakistan during last nine months (July-March 2006-07) has surged by about 12 per cent to touch $4.84 billion figure. But a distinct feature is more than 34 per cent fall in import of textile machinery, Pakistan’s key industry conveying loudly that honeymoon for textile tycoons is over.

Official statistics show that real contribution in import bill has come from shipments of electric generators thanks to rise in temperature and frequent breakdowns in power supply in all parts of the country.

Import of electric generators in last nine months is up by more than 42 per cent to more than $516 million from $362 million last year.

Telecom sector continues to show signs of boom and total imports in this sector are expected to be more than $2 dollars at the end of the year. In last nine months telecom related import bill is worth more than $1.6 billion, which is 18.5 per cent more than imports in the same period of 2005-06.

Mobile phones worth $657 million were imported and import of other apparatus and equipment was worth almost $1 billion.

Machines and equipment being imported for offices, agriculture, construction and mining too have shown some growth over last year imports.

Transport related import showed a growth of 12.48 per cent to claim $1.86 billion during July-March 2006-07 period but the shipment of reconditioned motor vehicles have dropped by more than 13 per cent mainly due to an abrupt SRO that has resulted in accumulation of more than one thousand units at the West Wharf these days.

There has been more than 100 per cent rise in import of aircraft, ships and boats. Official statistics show $807.62 million import in last nine months as against $398 million.

The metal group import is down by 14.48 per cent in last nine months to $1.87 billion. Gold import is down by about 61 per cent, iron and scrap by about 21 per cent and iron and steel by about 15 per cent. The demand for aluminium wrought has increased by almost 50 per cent and its import bill is $132.20

million.

Miscellaneous group - rubber, wood and cork, jute, tyres and tube - is up by 10.67 per cent in imports in last nine months. These are industry related items and import bill of these items is $482.88 million.

Import of textile industry related goods is up by almost 16 per cent in last nine months. It has exceeded $1 billion figure to touch $1.11 billion. Textile industry imported cotton worth $455.41 million, synthetic fibre worth $170 million, and artificial silk yarn $173 million. Import of other textile items is worth $276.83 million. Import of Second-hand clothing stood at $39 million.

Industry related imports in last nine months are worth more than $11 billion minus the oil import bill. The oil import bill is worth more than $5.23bn in last nine months and is up by 13 per cent.

The main contribution in oil import bill rise has come from oil products, which are up by more 51 per cent in quantity terms to more than 6 million tons from 4 million tons in the same period last year.

The import of petroleum products claimed $2.64 billion in last nine months as against $1.85 billion last year. But import of crude petroleum has shown a decline in quantity by 11.45 per cent and in value by about 7 per cent to $2.59 billion.

Market analysts expect oil import bill to end up in close vicinity of $7 billion by end June next.

While officials attribute rise in demand of petroleum products to growing demand from thermal power sector, which is finding difficult to respond to the demand from industry, the market analysts attribute it to government’s policy of promoting consumerism through liberal bank loans, which has brought many new cars on roads and electronic goods in home.