ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s export of textile and clothing products witnessed a double digit growth in the first month of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The export proceeds from these sectors rebounded following substantial increase in exports of raw cotton, showed data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics here on Thursday.

Export of textile and clothing surged to $1.136 billion in July 2013 from $1.090bn during the corresponding month of last year.

Textile and clothing products, which witnessed a negative growth are cotton carded and yarn other than cotton yarn in July 2013 over the same month last year.

However, growth in exports in July was mainly driven by knitwear, bed-wear, towels and readymade garments, which are valued-added products.

An official source in the Commerce Ministry told Dawn that exports witnessed a double digit growth because of increase in export to the European market owing to preferential market access on selected products.

The European Union preferential package on import of 75 items was in operation since December 2012.

“Our exporters have received more orders than in normal circumstances because of preferential duties,” the official added.

A sector-wise analysis showed that export of low value-added products, such as cotton yarn, was up by 15.55pc, cotton cloth 16.18pc, made-up articles 5.81pc and other textile material 1.64pc in first month of the current fiscal year over same month last year.

Export of knitwear increased by0.99pc, bed-wear 9.60pc, towels 7.10pc, and readymade garments 16.25 pc in July 2013 this year over the same month last year.

Statistics shows that export of raw cotton witnessed a robust growth of 476.56pc, and art, silk and synthetic textile by 3.86pc in the first month of the current fiscal year over last year.

Industry sources said that consistent supply of gas during the period under review to textile sector produced the desired results.

The growth in yarn and fabric exports was mainly because of improved energy supply.

The full capacity utilisation of production caused growth in export of home textile — towels and bed-wear as well.

This shows that in case of uninterrupted supply of energy, export of textile products would increase many-fold.

Contrary to this, over 18.13pc increase was also witnessed due to rupee depreciation against the dollar in the past few months.

The non-textile products witnessed a growth of 11.68pc in the first month of the current fiscal year as its value stood at $1.061bn in July 2013 from $0.95bn over the corresponding month of last year.

The exports of non-textile products was mainly driven by exports of sugar, meat, fish products, carpets, sports goods, leather products, etc.