ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports of non-textile products decreased 39.7 per cent during the first eight months of 2016-17 on a year-on-year basis, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

In absolute terms, export proceeds of non-textile products fell to $5.1 billion in July-Feb from $5.5bn a year ago.

A source in the commerce ministry said low supply of electricity and gas to non-textile sectors increased their cost of doing business. Similarly, exporters have failed to avail the subsidy scheme announced last year owing to cumbersome procedures.

Product-wise details show a decline of 50.2pc in exports of petroleum crude. However, petroleum products and naphtha witnessed growth in exports during the period under review.

Exports of carpets and rugs witnessed negative growth of 17.86pc in July-Feb. Exports of sports goods fell 5.49pc year-on-year during the months under review. Foreign sales of footballs also dipped 9.96pc.

Exports of tanned leather declined 6.26pc in July-Feb from a year ago while those of leather products declined 6.61pc.

Exports of footwear dipped 10.14pc mainly because of 5.5pc negative growth in the exports of leather footwear. Exports of surgical goods and medical instruments went down 5.33pc and those of engineering goods dipped 7.66pc during the period under review.

Year-on-year exports of gur dipped 5.19pc, cement 18pc, gems 18.48pc and furniture 12.63pc during the first eight months of the current fiscal year. In the food basket, exports of rice witnessed negative growth of 14.54pc in July-Feb. The decline was witnessed in the exports of both basmati and non-basmati rice. Exports of spices, wheat, oil seeds and fish increased during the period under review.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2017