Pakistan’s exports of non textile items rise

Export of non-textile products posted a growth of 5.8 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year from a year ago, mainly driven by increase in export of cement, sugar and jewellery. However, the export of traditional products like sports goods, surgical instrument, engineering goods, food products, footwear, rice and carpets witnessed a substantial decline during the period under review over the last year, suggested data compiled by the commerce ministry. In absolute terms, the export of non-textile products reached to $2.916 billion in July-September this year as against $2.756 billion over the corresponding period last year. The ministry of commerce has proposed a string of measures in the Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2012-15 to promote export of non-textile products. Under the proposed strategy, it has been suggested to promote export of agriculture processed products with the help of university graduates, setting of meat processing plants in bordering provinces and tribal areas, establishment of leather council etc. Analysis of data shows a decline of 2.74 per cent in export of carpets in July-September this year over the previous year. Export of sports goods was up by 0.13 per cent during the period under review over last year. Export of footballs recorded a decline of 9.67 per cent. However, export of gloves up by 51.79 per cent. Pakistan’s export of gur up by 71 per cent, cement 30.61 per cent, molasses 28 per cent and jewellery by 342 per cent during the July-Sept.period of 2012-13. Contrary to this exports of surgical goods and medical instruments dipped by 8.03 per cent, engineering goods 16 per cent, footwear 10.15 per cent and leather manufacturers 16.59 per cent during the period under review over the previous year. An official in the commerce ministry said that Pakistan’s traditional products exports has witnessed substantial decline in the current fiscal year owing to many factors including the high energy cost, low demands from the emerging leading markets because of recession. Similarly, the official said that these products were also facing stiff competition from China and India on the international market as well.