KARACHI, Jan 1: Exports through Karachi Customs registered 19 per cent growth during the first half (July-Dec) of current fiscal. In total, goods worth $3.725 billion were exported as against $3.146 billion during the corresponding period of last fiscal, showing an increase of $579 million.

Collectorate of Customs (Exports) sources, disclosed here on Wednesday, that textile exports have been major contributor in the growth followed by rice.

However, it is highly encouraging that there is also a remarkable increase in export of non-traditional goods. Another factor which had been instrumental in increasing exports is reported to be large-scale export of wooden furniture such as doors, etc.

The sources said a big export contract from Iraqi government for wooden furniture has assisted in swelling export figures during the first half of the current fiscal.

If the current trend in exports is maintained in the second half of the fiscal the chances to break the psychological barrier of $10 billion are bright.

Historically, the last quarter of any fiscal year witnesses highest exports as the industry and exporters, besides meeting their export commitment also try to achieve their export targets.

However, higher exports of textiles and textile goods to European Union (EU) before the close of quota year on Dec 31, 2002, also contributed towards growth. The market access and tariff concession given by the EU has played a major role in achieving higher export growth, exporters said.

The Collectorate of Customs (Exports), Karachi has simultaneously disbursed an amount of Rs6.547 billion as duty drawback to exporters during the first half of the current fiscal year.

Similarly, a record number of duty drawback claims were disposed of by the collectorate during the period, by clearing pendency cases of up to 10 years. As a result of this, 13 per cent more claims were disposed of to 121,304 during first half of the current fiscal as against 107,825 claims cleared in the same period last year.

Besides disbursing a substantial amount of duty drawback, the collectorate took various measures to facilitate the export trade by ensuring that all the officers are easily accessible to exporters for early resolution of their problems.

In order to further promote exports and ensure its smooth flow, various public notices and standing orders were issued by the collectorate to provide maximum facilities to exporters in all respects.

There was maximum utilization of information technology for quick disposal of paperwork and to curb leakages, which resulted in minimizing documentation in export trade.