KARACHI – Pakistan’s textile sector export in March 2011 exhibited robust growth, augmenting by 44 percent, while the food group posted a 56.4 percent increase compared to the same month in the last fiscal year. Sources stated that the country’s export of textile and clothing, which are major export sectors and possess 50 percent share in total export, stood at $1,249 million in March, 2011 in contrast with $867.253 million during the same month in 2010. Besides, export of food, manufacturing and petroleum grew by 56.4 percent, 21.3 percent and 13.9 percent respectively.
Pakistan’s exports continued to strengthen, as evident from the latest trade data. Figures revealed that exports during March, 2011 stood at $2.5 billion, 41.1 percent higher than that of March last year. Cumulative exports, in July-March 2011, aggregated to $17.8 billion as against $14.1 billion in the corresponding period of last year, an increase of 26.5 percent. Export figures, for July-March, depicted a similar picture.
The textile sector was the major driver of exports. Knitwear and cotton cloth were top export products, as their export grew by 32.7 percent and 28.6 percent respectively. Bed wear, cotton yarn and readymade garments were items that, each, crossed the $1.0 billion mark during the nine months of the fiscal year 2010-11, while export of rice (other varieties) underwent a slender decline. However, growth of Basmati rice stayed positive. Export of chemicals, towels and petroleum products grew by 21 percent, 17.3 percent and 18.1percent respectively.
