ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Pakistan’s export of non-textile products witnessed a robust growth of more than 21 per cent during the first five months of the current fiscal year over the corresponding period last year.

Official figures compiled by the commerce ministry showed that export value of such products increased to $2.894 billion in July-November period of current fiscal, up by 21.59 per cent from $2.38 billion last year.

This unexpected growth in the export of such commodities was an outcome of marginal growth in export of sports goods, leather and value-added leather goods, leather footwear and surgical goods after a slump in the past few years.

Ironically, this growth was recorded in export of these commodities despite the fact that government subsidies were only targeted on the textile sector, which witnessed a negative growth during the period under review.

It showed that the potential is there if the government comes up with some relief package for these traditional sectors and reduces their competitive prices.

The statistics showed that the export of all sports goods (footballs and gloves) were up by 9.84 per cent and 60.66 per cent in July-November this year over last year.

Leather goods exports were up by 2.93 per cent during the period. Of these, leather garments were up by 16.83 per cent. However, export of leather gloves declined by 15.68 per cent and other leather manufactured 53.12 per cent.

The over all footwear exports increased by 5.79 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal year, mainly owing to increase in export of some low brands.

As export of leather footwear declined by 7.13 per cent, canvas footwear witnessed 73.87 per cent during the period under review. However, other footwear exports were up by 114.52 per cent in July-November this year over last year.

Export of these sectors were on the decline for the last two years despite the fact that government exempted them from sales tax and other duties.

This showed that there were some other problems, which handicapped the growth and export proceeds of these sectors.

The export of surgical goods and medicinal instruments increased by 33.67 per cent, followed by jewellery, up by 403.23 per cent, gems 336.52 per cent, gur and gur preparation 29.44 per cent, cement 115.55 per cent, furniture by 42 per cent during the period under review over last year. The other two leading traditional products, carpets, rugs 7.64 per cent and engineering goods 12.87 per cent during the period under review over the last year.

Among the primary commodities, exports of all kinds of rice rose by 0.84 per cent, meat and meat preparations by 44.95 per cent, oil seeds, nuts 24.25 per cent, spices 5.31 per cent, tobacco 20.02 per cent, vegetables 142.33 per cent, fruits 8.36 per cent, respectively during the period under review.

However, export of fish declined by 12.02 per cent, leguminous vegetables by 40.70 per cent, and all other food items 7.12 per cent.