ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s export of non-textile products witnessed a negative growth of 10.24 per cent during the first five months of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

In absolute terms, exports proceeds from these products fell to $4.21bn in July-November 2014 from $4.69bn in the corresponding months of last year.

An official said that low supply of electricity and gas to the sector multiplied its cost of doing business. Similarly, the ministry of commerce is yet to implement the decision of the government to provide cash support on export of nine value-added non-textile products.

The subsidy scheme was announced for leather manufacturers, footwear, sports goods, surgical, engineering goods, furniture, meat and meat products, fish products and cutlery.

The non-textile sector has been witnessing a declining trend since July 2014. Last year, total annual exports of non-textile products reached $11.40bn from $11.42bn in the previous year, showing a decline of 0.18pc.

Product-wise details show a decline of 19.32pc year-on-year in export of petroleum products. Petroleum products and naphtha led the decline in the petroleum sector’s export. Last year, export of these products witnessed a substantial growth.

Export of carpets, rugs, etc., witnessed a negative growth of 7.31pc during July-Nov 2014 period of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

However, export of sports goods was up by 14.57pc year-on-year during the months under review. Foreign sales of footballs were also up by 12.36pc.

Export of tanned leather witnessed a negative growth of 1.23pc in July-November 2014 from a year ago.

Leather products’ export declined by 6.02pc during the period under review. All value-added leather products witnessed decline in exports in July-November 2014.

Export of footwear swelled by 21.10pc, mainly driven by 25.90pc growth in export of leather footwear. This is the only sector which witnessed an impressive growth during the first five months of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The growth in footwear was mainly because of preferential market access in the EU market because of GSP Plus scheme.

Export of surgical goods and medical instruments went up by 2.67pc and engineering goods dipped by 31.88pc during the period under review over last year.

Year-on-year export of gur was up by 0.58pc, cement 1.90pc, gems 39.8pc and furniture 1.73pc during the first five months of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

In the food basket, export of rice witnessed a surge of 8.32pc in the first five months of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The increase was witnessed in export of both basmati and non-basmati rice. Export of spices, sugar and fish witnessed an increase during the period under review over last year.

However, export of oil, vegetables and fruits witnessed a decline during the period under review.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2014