ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Pakis-tan’s textile and clothing exports declined by 3.44 per cent to $6.028 billion during the first seven months (July-January) of the current fiscal year from $6.242 billion over the same period of last year, statistics division said on Saturday.

The overall dismal performance of the textile and clothing sector has been linked with the closure of factories in the wake of disturbances, imposition of emergency in November last year and reduced working days in December.

Exports of textile and clothing have witnessed more than 10 per cent growth in January over the same month of last year, which is an indication that the sector will see some growth in the coming months.

Product-wise details showed that the export of readymade garments witnessed a growth of 7.2 per cent over the same period of last year. However, the knitwear exports have declined by 11.20 per cent.

Exports of raw cotton, cotton yarn, cotton cloth, cotton carded and yarn other than cotton year declined by 12.79, 6.02, 8.26, 23.20 and 19.89 per cent, respectively, during July-Jan over the same period of last year.

Exports of bedwear, towel and tents, and dipped by 6.21 per cent, 6.72 per cent and 0.62 per cent, respectively. However, exports of art, silk and synthetic textile, made up articles, excluding towels and other textiles, went up by 25.19 per cent, 19.78 per cent and 0.69 per cent.

Under the current round of negotiations on non-agriculture market access, Pakistan is looking for greater market access for its textile and clothing exports in the rich countries markets which are highly protected.

Pakistan is also facing tough competition from products, particularly from least developed countries, which are enjoying zero customs duty in the markets of United States and European Union.