Pakistan's non-textile products drop by 7.8% to $783.053m

ISLAMABAD—The export of non-textile products declined by 7.8 per cent to $783.053 million during July 2006 as against $849.345 million the same month last year.
Official figures compiled by the ministry of commerce showed that the decline in the export proceeds during the month under review was due to decrease in export of engineering, sports, carpets, leather, surgical and pharmaceutical products.
The only category which registered a nominal growth was primary commodities which include mostly agriculture produce and to some extent fish food.
Analysts attributed the decline in the non-textile export proceeds to ill-advised and un-proper policies of the government which was only focused on the promotion of textile products.
The government had announced a package of Rs25 billion for the textile sector, while the traditional sectors like sports, surgical and carpets were unable to compete with the similar products manufactured in China, India etc., in international market.
Official figures showed that the export of all sport goods (footballs and gloves) declined by 50.95pc; carpets, rugs and mats by 59.50pc; and leather goods (garments and gloves) by 34.41pc during July 2006 over last year.
The export of surgical goods and medicinal instruments declined by 78.47pc, followed by jewellery dipped by 94.45pc, furniture by 27.96pc, molasses by 731.66pc, footwear (leather and canvas) by 40.12pc during the month.
The export of engineering goods decreased by 31.98pc, auto parts 60.41pc; chemical and pharmaceutical products by 2.14pc, cutlery 72.75pc and onyx manufactured 56.15pc during the month under review.
Among the primary commodities, exports of fish and fish foods rose by 1.59pc, rice by 160.49pc and oilseeds by 142.15pc. However, exports of fruits declined by 58.24pc, vegetables dipped by 87.79pc, tobacco by 18.85pc and meat by 14.76pc during July 2006 over last year. —Agencies