ISLAMABAD: Export of non-textile products grew marginally by 1.38 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The export of non-textile products reached $5.694 billion in July-Dec 2013 compared with $3.798bn in the corresponding period of last year.

The increase was mainly driven by a surge in export of petroleum products, carpets, sports goods, leather products and molasses.

There was a massive year-on-year growth in export of petroleum products to $459.862 million from $51.309m. Petroleum products and naphtha led the growth in the petroleum sector’s export.

The export of carpets, rugs etc witnessed a growth of 7.88pc during the first half of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The export of sports goods grew by 5.51pc year on year during the months under review.

Foreign sales of footballs jumped by 20.64pc. The rise in footballs exports is an encouraging sign because it was on the decline for the last few years.

The export of tanned leather witnessed a growth of 13.56pc.

Leather products export also increased by 8.68pc, while export of leather garments rose by 9.09pc during the first half year from a year ago.

Export of footwear swelled by 6.98pc, mainly driven by 12.46pc growth in export of leather footwear.

Export of surgical goods and medical instruments went up by 6.62pc and engineering goods by 30.21pc during the period under review over last year.

Export of molasses witnessed more than 100pc growth during the period under review.

Year-on-year export of gur declined by 41.86pc, cement 15.52pc, handicraft 96.90pc, furniture 4.20pc and jewellary 77.38pc.

Exports of meat, oil, spices, tobacco, pulses, vegetables, fruits and fish increased while in agriculture sector, rice exports grew by 25.89pc in July-December period this year from a year ago.

Year-on-year export of basmati rice was up by 1.67pc during the period under review.

Non-basmati rice exports grew by over 40pc during the period under review over last year.