April 24, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 23: The export of non-textile products witnessed a substantial increase of 31 per cent during the first nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year over the same period last year.

In absolute terms the export value of these products enhanced to $5.711 billion from $4.36 billion last year, mainly due to substantial increase in the export of food commodities.

Figures compiled by the ministry of commerce showed that the export of the textile products declined by 3.14 per cent to $7.765 billion against $8.017 billion over the corresponding period of last year.

Analysts said that the government should revisit its trade policy to work out measures for increasing the export of non-textile products.

Official figures showed that among the primary commodities, export of rice rose by 14.55 per cent. The export of Basmati rice increased by 33 per cent over the last year because its demand has gone up in the international market following a slump in rice production.

The export of seafood increased by 1.2 per cent, fruits by 29.84 per cent, vegetables by 20.96 per cent, sugar by 100 per cent and meat by 24.05 per cent.

The export of spices went up by 6.31 per cent, oilseeds by 156.46 per cent, and all other food items by 9.97 per cent.

The export of carpets rose by 4.24 per cent.

The export of sports goods went up by 3.94 per cent, but export of footballs declined by 6.14 per cent, while of gloves rose by 69.38 per cent.

The export of leather goods (garments and gloves) increased by 24.08pc. Export of leather garments went up by 42.49pc and leather gloves by 1.88 per cent.

The export of footwear has increased by 2.74 per cent. Export of leather footwear dipped by 8.32 per cent and canvas footwear by 75pc. However, export of other footwear went up by 97.48pc.

Export of surgical goods and instruments has increased by 35.33 per cent, gems by 45.78 per cent, jewellery by 423.98 per cent, furniture by 1.05 per cent, molasses by 23.96 per cent, cement by 126.49 per cent and gur products by 19.70 per cent.