ISLAMABAD: The exports of non-textile products slightly rose 1.81 per cent to $1.68 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against $1.65bn in the corresponding period last year as demand slowed down in buyer markets, data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed on Saturday.

The slowdown in export proceeds of the non-textile sector was noted across all sectors. However, a slight improvement was seen in the export of value-added sectors.

The non-textile exports posted a growth of 25.85pc in the just-ended FY22.

In the value-added leather sector, exports of leather garments entered a negative growth of 6.85pc. However, leather gloves exports grew 3.90pc in July-August. Contrary to this, the exports of raw leather increased by over 8.52pc during the July-August 2022 period.

Pakistan is one of the main suppliers of global surgical instruments. However, these instruments are re-marketed in western countries by famous brands. As a result, the export value of these products remains very negligible.

The export of surgical instruments posted a negative growth of 2.32pc in July-August over the same period last year. However, the exports of pharmaceutical products posted a positive growth of 14.72pc during the month under review.

The export of footwear increased by 20.91pc year-on-year led by leather and canvas footwear. The export of engineering products was up 20.03pc year-on-year in July-August. However, the export of electric fans increased 31.96pc during 2MFY23.

The export of carpets went up by 21.12pc, while that of sports goods up 26.09pc during 2MFY23 from a year ago. In the sports sector, the sales of footballs up 56.53pc in July-August this year from a year ago. Pakistan is the official football supplier to the next FIFA World Cup to be started in November in Doha, Qatar.

The government has proposed several measures including a reduction in duty on raw materials to promote exports of pharmaceutical, plastic, chemicals, engineering, and value-added textile products.

PBS data showed the food basket posted growth of 9.79pc in July-August from a year ago.

Under this category, exports of rice witnessed a paltry growth of 0.73pc year-on-year in July-August mainly because of a drop in export of basmati rice. The break-up showed that basmati exports in value decreased by 14.61pc and 29.97pc in quantity while non-basmati exports were up by 9.51pc in value. The export of spices dipped by 14.03pc, followed by oilseeds, nuts 40.37pc, and fruits 27.97pc, respectively.

The export of meat and products was up 32.71pc, followed by the export of fish products increased by 52.07pc, vegetables 53.13pc and tobacco increased by 97.36pc in July-August 2022 over the last year month.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2022