ISLAMABAD, June 28: The import bill of machinery, particularly textile related, increased by 46.81 per cent during the July-May period of the current financial year, over the same period last year.

Official statistics released here on Tuesday showed the total import bill of machinery increased to $5.127 billion during 11 months this fiscal year, as against $3.492 billion during the same period last year.

In terms of quantity and value, the import bill of petroleum products increased by 23.19 per cent to $3.496 billion during the period under review, as against $2.838 billion during the same period last year.

In absolute term, the value of total imports stood at $18.390 billion during 11 months this fiscal year, as against $13.730 billion during the same period last year, indicating an increase of 33.95 per cent.

The product-wise analysis showed the import of textile machinery increased by 55.27 per cent, power generating machinery by 34.87 per cent, office machines by 21.73 per cent, construction and mining machine by 35.71 per cent and electrical machinery and apparatus by 29.69 per cent during the July-May period, over the same period last year.

The import of road motor vehicle registered a growth of 49.12 per cent during the period under review. However, the import of aircraft, ship and boats went down by 64.18 per cent during 11 months this year over the last year.

Further analysis showed the import of agricultural and other chemical items registered a growth of 29.74 per cent to $3.212 billion during 11 months of this fiscal year, as against $2.476 billion during the same period last year.

Of these, import of fertilizers increased by 20.4 per cent, insecticides by 21.68 per cent, plastic materials by 48.91 per cent and medicinal products by 2.66 per cent during the period under review, over the same period last year.

The statistics showed the import of metal groups increased by 84.17 per cent to $1.094 billion during the July-May period, as against $594.183 million in the same period last year. The total increase in food products stood at 26.89 per cent to $1.209 billion, as against $953.413 million during the same period last year.

Of these, a massive increase of 81.14 per cent was registered in the import of milk and other related products, 173.68 per cent in wheat unmilled, 159.33 per cent in dry fruits, 16.64 per cent in tea, 60.71 per cent in pulses and 1858.31 per cent in sugar during 11 months this fiscal year, over the same period last year.