ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports of non-textile products posted a robust growth of nearly 22 per cent year-on-year in the outgoing fiscal year to $9.69 billion.

The impressive increase in non-textile products outpaced the traditional export basket of textile and clothing which went up 8.67pc year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2017-18.

The exports of non-textile products, which were steadily on decline, rebounded in the outgoing fiscal year owing to government support, suggested data by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The export proceeds from the sectors had been falling persistently since July 2014.

In 2017-18, government extended cash support package to non-textile products, leather manufacturers, footwear, sports goods, surgical, engineering goods, furniture, meat and meat products, fish products and cutlery.

Data show an increase of 108pc year-on-year in exports of petroleum products. Petroleum products, petroleum crude and naphtha led the increase in the sector’s exports.

Last year, exports of these products witnessed a negative growth.

Exports of carpets and rugs shrank by 3.4pc during 2017-18 over the last year.

However, sports goods’ exports went up slightly by 7.8pc year-on-year during the year under review. Foreign sales of footballs were higher by 9.38pc due to huge exports as part of FIFA 2018.

Tanned leather exports witnessed a negative growth of 4.46pc in 2017-18 from a year ago.

After a long time, exports of leather products rebounded and posted a growth of 6.64pc during this period. This was mainly led by sales of leather gloves, followed by garments.

Footwear exports went up by 12.88pc on back of leather footwear, surgical goods and medical instruments by 11.55pc and engineering goods by 18.3pc during the year under review.

Year-on-year exports of gur (jaggery) surged by 21.83pc, molasses 65.75pc, handicrafts 40.32pc, gems 34.97pc and jewellery 1.13pc while those of cement fell by 6.3pc and furniture 14.27pc.

In the food basket, exports of rice witnessed a robust rise of 26.78pc in 2017-18 from a year ago. The growth was witnessed in both basmati and non-basmati rice.

Exports of sugar and wheat are the other two major exports commodities which recorded an impressive growth. Other products which also rose are oil, fish, seeds, pulses and tobacco.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2018