Figures released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics show that exports of textiles have registered considerable gains during recent months.
Pakistan’s total exports from July 2009 till June 2010; the fiscal year 2010, amounted to $19.38 billion, an increase of 9.58 per cent as compared to the same period last year.
Exports in June were 3.75 per cent higher than in May 2010. Among textile products, knitwear exports in the month amounted to $168 million, cotton cloth exports stood at $157 million, while sales of bedwear and readymade garments notched up $150 million and $133 million.
Exports of cotton yarn showed the biggest increase over the month of May, rising by about 71 per cent. Exports of knitwear grew 9.61 per cent and readymade garments by 16.31 per cent. Meanwhile, jewellery exports have shown a phenomenal increase of 150 per cent over June 2009 to reach $126.2 million.
Imports
Country’s imports during the month of June amounted to $3.22 billion, down 4.14 per cent compared with last month. Total imports from July 2009 to June 2010 reached $34.7 billion, a nominal decrease of 0.32 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Imports of petroleum and its products formed a major chunk of the import bill for June, amassing $746.09 million.
Imports of iron and steel cost $153 million, while plastic materials and palm oil purchases cost $137.8 million and $137.1 million respectively.
Imports of plastic materials registered the biggest increase when compared to the month of May, rising by almost 35 per cent. On the other hand, compared to June last year imports of fertilisers were up 233 per cent.
The data also highlighted that the country’s balance of trade in the month of June stood at $1.404 billion. The cumulative balance of trade for the period July 2009 to June 2010 stood at $15.32 billion.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2010.
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