ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: Services sector exports went up by 8.15 per cent in the first month of the current fiscal year over the same month last year, Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) said on Saturday.

The services export proceeds totalled $218.822 million in July 2007 as against $202.333 million in the same month last year.

Statistics showed that export of services witnessed a robust growth because of stagnation in the base of services sector last year. There is a potential for further liberalisation of the services exports and seeking extensive market for export service

providers.

According to the statistics, imports of services climbed by 3.13 per cent to $755.390 million during the month of July 2007 as against $732.438 million over the same month last year.

The deficit in the trade of services reached $536.568 million during the first month of the current fiscal year as against $732.438 million over the same month last year, indicating a growth of 1.22 per cent.