March 25, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

ISLAMABAD, March 24: Pakistan’s export of non-textile products recorded over 21 per cent growth during the first eight months of the current fiscal year as it stood at $4.872 billion against $3.817 billion over the same period last year.

Official figures compiled by the commerce ministry showed that for the first time the export of non-textile products witnessed a robust growth during the period under review after a recession prevailed in the sector during the last few years.

This growth was materialised on the back of substantial increase in export of sports goods, leather value added products, surgical goods, medical instruments, cutlery, gems and jewellery, and furniture etc during the period under review over the last year.

An official source said that this growth in export of non-textile products was achieved without any subsidies or support from the government.

He said that the growth in non-textile sector would enable the government to reach closer to the export target of $19.2 billion by end June 2008. The export target is likely to be missed mainly because of dismal performance of the textile sector despite all support.

Official figures showed that export of rice was up by 8.84 per cent during the July-Feb ‘08 over last year. Basmati rice export went up by 29.66 per cent.

Export of sports goods increased by 5.88 per cent against the same period of last year. Of these, export of footballs, once considered a major item to the world market, declined by 5.3 per cent. However, export of gloves rose by 79.57 per cent during the same period.

Exports of leather garments were up by 38.68 per cent. However, leather gloves declined by 0.77per cent and other leather manufacturers by 79.68 per cent. The engineering goods export was up by 37.81 per cent in July-Feb over the last year.

The export of gur was up by 25.56 per cent, cement 153.54 per cent, molasses 11.43 per cent, furniture 0.56 per cent, jewellery 455.02 per cent and gems 63.89 per cent during the period under review over last year.

On the other hand, the statistics showed that export of the carpets, rugs and mats recorded a negative growth of 2.39pc. Export of footwear declined by 0.91pc.

Of these, exports of leather footwear dipped by 13.31 per cent and canvas footwear by 60.46 per cent. However, export of other footwear recorded a growth of 103.11 per cent. Export of auto parts declined by 3.25pc and engineering goods by 12.64 per cent.

Among the primary commodities, export of meat and meat preparations were up by 22.05 per cent, sugar 100 per cent, oilseeds 157.74 per cent, spices 7.52 per cent, tobacco 8.25 per cent, vegetables 39.94 per cent and fruits 20.17 per cent.