KARACHI, Nov 23: The country achieved record monthly export of $1.989 billion in October 2010, which is 26.1 per cent higher over the corresponding month last year, official figures showed on Tuesday.

The growth in export augurs well of achieving the $20 billion target set for the current fiscal year, official sources said.

The knitwear sector posted 39 per cent growth in exports at $207.65 million followed by cotton cloth registering 37 per cent surge at $201.87 million over the same month last year.

The export of bedwear, cotton yarn, readymade garments and rice recorded average export growth of 33 per cent at $100 million each.

The consolidated exports during the July-October 2010-11 stood at $7.17 billion, higher by 19.2 per cent over the last year.

The knitwear and cotton cloth were the major export earners with $754 million and $734 million, respectively, during the July-October period.

The combine export of bedwear, readymade garments and cotton yarn has crossed the $500-million-mark during the period under review.

The traditional export sector of textile and clothing remained mainstay for this better performance on export front, the official added.