Between fiscal year 2016 and 2017 Pakistan’s textile exports fell two per cent. Although raw cotton, cotton yarn and cotton cloth saw a decline, there was an increase in shipments of knitwear, bed wear and readymade garments. Exports to the US fell one per cent, China fell 15 per cent and to the UK 0.6 per cent. On the other hand, exports to Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands increased.

The GSP Plus status awarded by European Union to Pakistan may have averted a decline in exports to the 28-nation bloc. Similarly, exports to Turkey rose 16 per cent and shipments to Thailand increased more than 40 per cent. Exports to Indonesia and South Korea too went up more than 21 and 34 per cent respectively.