KARACHI, Jan 7: Textile export quota business fetched 2.28 billion dollars during 2002 showing an increase of 3.47 per cent over 2.21 billion dollars earned in 2001.

Official figures show that total quantum of textile products export under quota regime went up by 8.61 per cent during 2002. Almost 80 per cent of allocated quotas were utilised in respect of the US, 72.73 per cent in case of the EU, about 65 per cent of Canada and about 45 per cent of Turkey.

Pakistani exporters earned 1.11 billion dollars from the EU market, 1.06 billion dollars from the US, 62.52 million dollars from Turkey and 46.78 million dollars from Canada.

In terms of average unit value, Pakistani exports to the US showed a decline of 3.98 per cent. But average unit price of Pakistan textile products export to EU showed an impressive growth of 10.91 per cent despite reports of cut throat competition triggered by a tariff free access given to Pakistan since January last year.

Pakistan’s bedlinen export now faces anti-dumping proceedings from the EU. There has, however, been a marked average unit price decline in Canada where it came down by 13.50 per cent. In Turkey the average unit price showed a handsome increase of 43.83 per cent.

The average unit prices obtained from the US market came down to 1.24 dollars in 2002 from 1.41 dollars a year ago. Exporters offered low prices in as many as about two dozen categories of exportable textile products to the US. As a consequence, the total quantum of textile products supply under export quota regime to the US increased by 9.22 per cent but realization of proceeds dropped from 1.11 billion dollars in 2001 to 1.06 billion dollars in 2002.

Quota export trade with EU showed 6.28pc rise in quantum and 10.91pc in value. Average unit price obtained from EU was 0.51 dollar in 02 as against 0.49 dollars in 01. As many as over a dozen categories showed rise in average unit price.

Bedlinen, now in the news, was exported at average unit price of 5.28 dollars a kg in 02 as against 5.29 dollars a kg in 01.

Exporters are facing some problems in Canadian market but have done exceptionally well in Turkish market during 2002. There are now two more years during which Pakistani exporters will enjoy quota cover in the US, EU and other markets. After 2002 the markets will be opened for all the countries without any quota restrictions.