Pakistan’s exports of textile and clothing saw a decline of 2.64 per cent in July to August on a year-on-year basis. The GSP-Plus scheme provides zero-duty market access to Pakistan’s products, including textile and clothing, into the European Union. The country’s five-year textile policy is laden with incentives for the promotion of value-added sectors. Last year, exports of readymade garments witnessed nominal growth despite a fall in the exports of most products.

In July to August, exports of readymade garments witnessed an increase of 3.76 per cent from a year ago while those of bed wear surged 5.28 per cent. However, exports of knitwear, which is a value-added segment, declined 3.18 per cent on an annual basis. Imports of textile machinery witnessed year-on-year growth of over five per cent in the first two months of the current fiscal year. Exports of primary commodities like cotton yarn and cotton cloth registered negative growth of 16.64 per cent and 4.12 per cent in July to August on a year-on-year basis. Exports of towels also declined 17.42 per cent annually in July to August.

Exports of tents, canvas and tarpaulin went up by 82.55 per cent year-on-year while made-up articles, excluding towels, rose by 11.83 per cent and other textile materials increased by 9.35 per cent over the period under review.