ISLAMABAD, April 28: Pakistan’s exports of non-textile products rose by 17.6 per cent to $4.871 billion during nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year as against $4.142 billion in the same period last year.

Official figures showed that the growth was mainly due to over 22 per cent increase in export of primary commodities during the period under review.

The statistics showed that the export of rice rose by 33.68 per cent to $835.199 million as against $624.952 million in the corresponding period last year. Of these, the export of basmati rise rose by 24.20 per cent.

Among the primary commodities, exports of fish and fish foods increased by 30.20 per cent, fruits 20.64 per cent, vegetables 20.02 per cent and spices by 68.57 per cent. However, exports of raw cotton declined by 44.29 per cent, tobacco 37.05 per cent and oil seeds, nuts and kernals by 56.30 per cent.

Exports of surgical goods and medicinal instruments also declined by 14.06 per cent, jewellery 40.94 per cent, furniture 10.04 per cent and molasses by 48.65 per cent during the July-March period.

The export of engineering goods has increased by 10.29 per cent to $135.368 million as against $122.759 million in the same period last year. Of these, exports of electric fans declined by 2.24 per cent and transport equipment by 29.99 per cent. However, exports of other electrical machinery increased by 11.23 per cent, auto parts 55.79 per cent and machinery for specialized industries by 36.96 per cent.

The export of sports goods increased by 5.68 per cent to $228.364 million during the period under review as against $216.090 million in the same period last year. Of these, the export of footballs rose by 23.74 per cent. However, the export of gloves declined by 52.20 per cent.

The export of footwear products increased by 7.44 per cent to $95.064 million during the July-March period of the current fiscal year as against $88.480 million in the same period last year. Of these, the export of leather footwear increased by 14.44 per cent. However, exports of canvas footwear declined by 43.72 per cent and other footwear by 13.18 per cent.

The export of leather products increased by 44.04 per cent to $540.548 million during the period under review as against $375.271m in the same period of last year. Of these, exports of leather garments rose by 58.48 per cent and other leather products by 160.33 per cent. However, the export of leather gloves declined by 5.06 per cent.

The statistics showed that exports of carpets, rugs and mats increased by 0.83 per cent, gems 21.02 per cent, cutlery 8.44pc, onyx-manufactured 41.09pc and chemical and pharmaceutical products by 6.05 per cent.