ISLAMABAD: Exports of textile and clothing surged to $1.207 billion in January 2015 compared to $1.095bn a year ago, an increase of 10.23 per cent, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data showed on Monday.

The growth in export proceeds rebounded after witnessing a negative growth of over 6pc in Dec 2014, thanks to improved supply of gas and electricity to the sector.

During July-Jan 2014-15, the exports of textile and clothing witnessed a nominal increase of just 1pc.

Product-wise details show that exports of low value-added products, such as cotton yarn, was up by 24.17pc; yarn other than cotton yarn 89.53pc; tents 51.06pc and made-up textile excluding towels by 17.04pc.

However, exports of art, silk dropped by 24.08pc; cotton carded 99.65pc and cotton cloth by 2.43pc. Raw cotton export witnessed a robust growth of 24.66pc in January 2015 from a year ago.

Exports of value-added products witnessed an increase during the month. The exports of knitwear witnessed a growth of 9.66pc and readymade garments of 18.97pc. The exports of bedwear and towels were up by 5.14pc and 18.27pc, respectively.

Total exports witnessed a decline of 3.74pc to $14.128bn in July-Jan 2015 as against $14.677bn in the same period last year.

OIL AND FOOD PRODUCTS: Import bill of oil and eatables in July-Jan 2014-15 witnessed a decline of 4.30pc to $10.665bn from $11.145bn in the same period last year.

During the period, total import bill reached $27.233bn as against $25.808bn, an increase of 5.52pc.

The import bill of food products witnessed a surge of 31.04pc to $3.158bn as against $2.410bn in the same period last year.

The increase was mainly driven by import of wheat which witnessed an increase of 72pc, pulses 35.7pc and all other products 78pc. Import bill of sugar also increased by 35.24pc.

Statistics show that oil import bill reached $7.507bn during the period under review as against $8.735bn a year ago, a decline of 14.06pc. Import of crude oil was down by 14.61pc and of petroleum products by 13.73pc.

Published in Dawn February 24th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play