Textile exports surge 26% despite power cuts

Cotton cloth main contributor to growth.

ISLAMABAD: Textile exports surged by 25.79 per cent during the first half (July-December) of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, despite challenges like energy shortages.

Textile exports from July-December 2010 were recorded at $6.28 billion against exports worth $4.995 billion in July-December 2009, according to data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics.

Textile exports during December alone showed impressive growth of 15.47 per cent and 42.65 per cent over November 2010 and December 2009 respectively. Textile exports in December were recorded at $1.17 billion compared to exports worth $1.02 billion in November 2010 and $823.58 million in December 2009, the figures revealed.

Among major products that contributed to the positive growth was cotton cloth whose exports increased by 30.63 per cent. Exports of raw cotton increased by 13.91 per cent, cotton yarn by 26.49 per cent, yarn by 43.11 per cent, knitwear by 24.07 per cent, bedwear by 16.01 per cent, towels by 7.23 per cent, readymade garments by 34.99 per cent, art, silk and synthetic textile by 69.68 per cent, made-up articles by 21.48 per cent and other products by 47.73 per cent.

The commodities that recorded a fall in exports included cotton (carded or combed) and tents, canvas and tarpaulin, exports of which decreased by 43.6 per cent and 46.69 per cent.

Meanwhile, exports of food group increased from $1.45 billion in July-December 2009-10 to $1.54 billion in July-December 2010-11, showing an increase of 6.18 per cent.

Exports of petroleum products and coal surged by 35.33 per cent during the period under review, growing from $409.88 million to $554.71 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th,  2011.