ISLAMABAD, April 19: Pakistan’s export of textile and clothing rebounded in March 2013 as it witnessed a growth of over 13 per cent from a year ago.

The export proceeds from these sectors fell by over 4pc in February 2013 from a year ago after successive growth in the past five months.

Export of textile and clothing surged to $1.167 billion in March 2013 from $1.030bn during the corresponding month of last year, showed data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics here on Friday.

Textile and clothing products, which witnessed a negative growth are raw cotton, and cotton carded in March 2013 over the same month last year.

However, growth in exports in the month of March was mainly driven by knitwear, bed-wear, towels and readymade garments, which are valued-added products.

An official source in the commerce ministry told Dawn that exports witnessed a double digit growth because of increase in export to the European market owing to preferential market access on selected products.

The European Union preferential package on import of 75 items was in operation since December 2012.

“Our exporters have received more orders than in normal circumstances because of preferential duties,” the official added.

Since October 2013, export of textile and clothing rebounded because of a slight rise in demand from recession-hit key markets of Europe and the US, and improvement in domestic production.

As a result, overall exports rose to $18.01bn in July-March 2013 from $17.10bn over the same months last year, showing an increase of 5.36pc.

In the first nine months (July-March) of 2012-13, export of textile and clothing witnessed a growth of 7.09pc this year as it stood at $9.630bn from $8.993bn over the corresponding period of last year.

A sector-wise analysis showed that export of low value-added products, such as cotton yarn, was up by 29.17pc, cotton cloth 11.56pc, made-up articles 6.31pc and other textile material 44.83pc in nine months this year over same months last year.

Export of knitwear increased by 2.94pc, bed-wear 0.09pc, towels 18.11pc, in July-March this year over the same months last year.

Statistics shows that export of raw cotton declined by 65.03pc, and art, silk and synthetic textile by 25.33pc in the first nine months this year over last year.

Industry sources said that consistent supply of gas during the period under review to textile sector produced the desired results. The growth in yarn and fabric exports was mainly because of improved energy supply. The full capacity utilisation of production caused growth in export of home textile — towels and bed-wear as well.

This shows that in case of uninterrupted supply of energy, export of textile products would increase manifold.

Contrary to this, over 16pc increase was also witnessed due to rupee depreciation against the dollar in the past few months.