ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile and clothing products exports revived in August from a year ago, according to the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday.

However, total exports proceeds from the textile and clothing sector jumped 7.33 per cent to $1.25 billion in August from $1.17bn in the same month last year.

However, the country’s total exports posted a growth of 3.72pc to $2.26bn during the first two months (July-August) of 2018-19 from $2.17bn over the corresponding months last year.

The revival in exports was partially attributable to cash subsidy offered under prime minister’s exports enhancement package. Furthermore, in the mini-budget, government has reduced duties on raw materials to boost exports.

Data for the value-added textile sector showed a positive growth as exports of ready-made garments went up 8.85pc in value and increased by 26.52pc in quantity.

On the other hand, exports of knitwear edged up 14.04pc in value and 29.4pc in quantity during August. Moreover, bed wear exports went up 7.74pc in value.

Towel exports posted a 12.14pc growth in August while that of cotton cloth increased by 7.14pc in value during the period under review.

Among primary commodities, cotton yarn exports witnessed a 5.34pc increase while export of yarn other than cotton recorded a 16.93pc decline.

Exports of made-up articles, excluding towels, went up by 8.36pc, those of art, silk and synthetic textile exports up by 5.31pc and tents, canvas and tarpaulin went up by 3.71pc while proceeds from raw cotton dipped by 68.98pc during the period under review.

The total export proceeds registered a growth of 5.05pc to $3.66bn in July-Aug from $3.48bn over the corresponding period of last year of which non-textile exports were up by 6.8pc to $1.4bn.

PBS data showed a mammoth rise of 143pc in exports of petroleum products, which along with petroleum crude and naphtha, led the increase in overall sector sales.

However, carpets and rugs exports during July-Aug declined by 4.25pc against same period last year. Foreign sales of sports goods went down by 9.97pc, with football exports dropping by 1.23pc as well. Tanned leather exports also shrank by 21.42pc in the period first two months of current fiscal year.

Leather products’ exports decreased by 3.37pc and footwear exports rose by 10.9pc in July-Aug 2018 from a year ago.

According to PBS data, exports of surgical goods and medical instruments also declined by 4.71pc, with exports in engineering goods sector decreasing by 26.51pc during the first two months.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2018