The exports of non-textile products recovered and posted a growth of 13.6% during the first four months (July-October) of the current fiscal year from a year ago. The export proceeds from these products surged to $2.66 billion between July-October from $2.34bn over the corresponding period of last year, suggested data compiled by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The export proceeds from the sectors were falling persistently since July 2014. The rebound in export proceeds apparently is due to the support package the government has extended to non-textile sector under the Prime Minister Exports enhancement package.
In the export package, the commerce ministry has separately announced additional incentives for non-textile products. The support was announced for leather manufacturers, footwear, sports goods, surgical, engineering goods, furniture, meat and meat products, fish products and cutlery.
Exports of carpets and rugs witnessed a negative growth of 10pc during July-October period of the current fiscal year from a year ago. However, sports goods exports dipped slightly by 0.14pc year-on-year during the months under review. Tanned leather exports witnessed a negative growth of 4.27pc in July-October from a year ago. Leather products’ exports declined by 9.5pc during the period under review. All value-added leather products posted a growth of 2.48pc in exports proceeds in July-October. This growth was mainly led by sales of leather gloves.
Footwear exports fell by 3.82pc during the period under review. This is the only sector which has the potential of growth, but exports from the sector were facing strong competition especially from Chinese exporters in European market despite preferential market access.
