ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Pakistan's exports to Switzerland grew by 45.5 per cent in 2006 over the previous year after remaining stagnant for the last several years.

Official figures compiled by the commerce ministry indicated that exports rose sharply during 2006 to 67 million Swiss francs (CHF) in 2006 from 46 million Swiss francs in 2005.

A positive aspect of this growth was manifold increase in export of non-traditional items.

These included ethanol, which jumped from Swiss Francs 25,400 in 2005 to Swiss Francs 12 million in 2006, a surge of 47,500 per cent.

Dried mushrooms and truffles were other important items whose exports increased by 153 per cent to reach Swiss Francs 6.3 million.

As a result, Pakistan became the second largest supplier of these products to Switzerland after China.

Textiles remained the largest exports with 50 per cent share which increased from Swiss Francs 24.9 million in 2005 to Swiss Francs 33.1 million in 2006.

Home textiles and clothing (other than knitwear) were the main items. Swiss companies imported these items from Pakistan, selling them in Switzerland and Europe under their own brand names and designs. Rice export increased by 36.5 per cent to Swiss Francs 1.2 million in 2006.

Leather items, especially bags and gloves, increased modestly by 5.5 per cent to Swiss Francs 1.9 million, sports goods and footwear, including gaiters and parts, both increased substantially by 72 per cent to Swiss Francs 2.2 million and Swiss Francs 1.2 million, respectively.

The statistics showed that in 2006, Swiss exports to Pakistan fell by 6.2 per cent to Swiss Francs 336 million.

The main Swiss exports to Pakistan were machinery and parts, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, watches, and electronic and other equipment.

These five sectors represented over 80 per cent of exports to Pakistan.

There is a great scope that bio-products offer the best opportunity for Pakistani exporters to Switzerland, as these products are in great demand and most are imported.

Some examples of products that Pakistan should consider are bio-rice, bio-mangoes or bio-cotton, giving particular attention to certification and control of bio brands and quality of products.