Growth in exports of value-added sectors contributed to an increase in overall exports from the sectors. One of the reasons for growth in these sectors is due to low-base of last year when export-oriented industries remained closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and cancellation of orders from international buyers.

Exports of home textile products were up by 27 percent to USD 3.642bn in 11MFY21 against USD 2.879bn over the last year, followed by a 16 percent increase in men’s garments to USD 3.505bn against USD 3.019bn last year. An increase of 33 percent in women garments to USD 646.49m was noted against USD 486.52m over the corresponding months of last year.

 

Similarly, in the vale-added leather sector, exports of leather apparel posed a growth of 11 percent to USD 584.02m in 11MFY21 against USD 528.02m over the corresponding months of last year, followed by an increase of 57 percent in exports of jerseys, pullovers and cardigans to USD 530.14m against USD 337.39m in the same period in FY20.

 

Export proceeds of copper and articles thereof posted growth of 44 percent to USD 463.17m between July to May 2021 against USD 321.95m over the last year, followed by 14 percent in t-shirts to USD 453.4m against USD 398.79m last year, 15 percent in made-up articles of textile materials to USD 432.47m against USD 377.24m of last year and 38 percent in pantyhose, stockings, socks to USD 417.41m against USD 302.67m over the last year.

 

Pakistan is one of the main suppliers of global surgical instruments. However, these instruments are re-marketed from western countries with famous brands. As a result, the export value of these products remain very less. The export of surgical instruments posted a growth of 17 percent to USD 398.88m in 11MFY21 against USD 341.51m over the last year, followed by 23 percent in gloves to USD 285.13m against USD 232.44m over the last year.

 

The export of pharmaceutical products posted growth of 27 percent to USD 240.04m against USD 188.47m last year and worn clothing by 33 percent to USD 228.47m against USD 171.18m over the last year.

 

Source: dawn.com