According to latest trade figures, exports from Pakistan during July-November 2011-12 were $9.39 billion, while in the corresponding period of 2010-11, exports were 8.72 billion. This showed a growth of 7.6 per cent. Textile sector remains the main stay of Pakistan’s exports, even though it has shown a decline of 1.3 per cent; its contribution to the total export was 53.5 per cent. Manufacturing sector was the second largest export sector, which registered a growth of 13.65 per cent and its contribution to the total exports was 18.9 per cent. Food group witnessed healthy growth of 22.7 per cent, and petroleum group showed 13.7 per cent growth. Analysis of the top 10 highest export value products during the period of July-November shows that the top five items were related to the textile group.
Cotton cloth, which earned nearly $1 billion in export, showed 6 per cent growth; knitwear, which crossed $900 million registered a decline of 2.8 per cent; bed wear, which is the third highest export, stood at approx $800 million and also showed a decline of 4.3 per cent. Export of readymade garments showed an increase of 3.5 per cent, while export of cotton yarn showed a decline of 13.6 per cent. Other important items were chemicals and pharmaceutical, rice and other varieties, food items, Basmati rice and towels. Exports of these items were above $284 million. Among these five items, food items showed tremendous growth of 161 per cent, while chemicals and pharmaceutical showed 30 per cent growth, whereas, rest of other three products showed decline.
