ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Textile exports of the country decreased by 3.79 per cent during the first seven months of the current financial year as compared to the corresponding period of the last financial year.

During January-July 2008-09 textile products export was recorded at $5.82 billion as compared to export of $ 6.05 billion registered during July-January 2007-08, figures provided by Federal Bureau of Statistics said.

Exports of cotton cloth increased by 8.9 per cent, towels by 14.31 per cent and made-up articles by 1.26 per cent. However, the highest decrease of 56.51 per cent was registered in export of yarn other than cotton yarn. Exports of yarn other than cotton yarn was recorded at $13.12 million as against export of $30.17 million registered during the last financial year.

Textile exports during January 2009 decreased by 8.98 per cent as compared to December 2008. Exports during January 2009 were recorded at $753.9 million as compared to exports of $720.3 million recorded during December 2008.

Export of raw cotton increased by 132 per cent, towels by 5.21 per cent, tents, canvas and tarpaulin by 8.93 per cent, art, silk and synthetic textile by 64.57 per cent, made-up articles by 19.11 per cent whereas export of other textile material increased by 1.6 per cent. Export of cotton yarn declined by 19.75 per cent while the export of cotton cloth decreased by 26.6 per cent, cotton carded or combed by 95.93 per cent, yarn other than cotton yarn by 74.05 per cent, knitwear by 7.86 per cent, bedwear by 7.7 per cent and readymade garments by 8.53 per cent.—APP