Exports of non-textile products up

Islamabad: Export of non-textile products grew marginally by 1.38 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The export of non-textile products reached $5.694 billion in July-Dec 2013 compared with $3.798bn in the corresponding period of last year.

The increase was mainly driven by a surge in export of petroleum products, carpets, sports goods, leather products and molasses.

There was a massive year-on-year growth in export of petroleum products to $459.862 million from $51.309m. Petroleum products and naphtha led the growth in the petroleum sector’s export.

The export of carpets, rugs etc witnessed a growth of 7.88pc during the first half of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The export of sports goods grew by 5.51pc year on year during the months under review.

The export of tanned leather witnessed a growth of 13.56pc.

Leather products export also increased by 8.68pc, while export of leather garments rose by 9.09pc during the first half year from a year ago.

Export of footwear swelled by 6.98pc, mainly driven by 12.46pc growth in export of leather footwear.

Export of surgical goods and medical instruments went up by 6.62pc and engineering goods by 30.21pc during the period under review over last year.

Export of molasses witnessed more than 100pc growth during the period under review.

Exports of meat, oil, spices, tobacco, pulses, vegetables, fruits and fish increased while in agriculture sector, rice exports grew by 25.89pc in July-December period this year from a year ago.

Non-basmati rice exports grew by over 40pc during the period under review over last year.