ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s export of non-textile products fell 9 per cent during the first half of this fiscal year from a year ago.

Exports proceeds from these products fell to $5.182 billion in July-Dec 2014-15 from $5.695bn in the corresponding months of last year.

The ministry of commerce has yet to substantiate the decline in exports from the sectors. The only reason given so far was interrupted supply of electricity and gas to the sectors.

Although the government has announced support for nine value-added non-textile sectors, the same yet to be implemented despite a lapse of six months. The non-textile sector has been witnessing a decline since July 2014.

Last year, total annual export 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 14.49pc 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 and rugs witnessed a negative growth of 2.85pc during July-Dec period of this fiscal year from a year ago.

However, export of sports goods increased by 4.30pc year-on-year during the months under review. Foreign sales of footballs also increased by 4.26pc.

Export of tanned leather witnessed a negative growth of 1.33pc in the July-Dec period from a year ago.

Leather products’ export declined by 4.15pc during the period under review. All value-added leather products witnessed decline in exports during the period.

Export of footwear swelled by 23.10pc, mainly driven by 25.06pc growth in export of leather footwear. This is the only sector which witnessed impressive growth during the first six months of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

Export of surgical goods and medical instruments went up by 1.76pc and engineering goods dipped by 27.15pc during the period under review over last year.

Year-on-year export of gur dipped by 2.51pc, molasses 55.85pc, gems 39.8pc and jewellery 98pc during the first six months of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

Published in Dawn January 24th , 2015

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