Export of textile and clothing from Pakistan grew by 6.5 per cent during the first 10 months (July-April) of this fiscal year. Export of low value-added products, such as yarn other than cotton yarn, was up 132.39 per cent, made-up articles excluding towels, bed wear 11.46 per cent and other textile manufacture by 21.68 per cent during July-April 2014 compared to the same period of last year. However, the export value of textile and clothing fell mainly because of a decline in export of value-added products.

In the value added sector, export of bed wear increased by 6.71 per cent, and knitwear by 16 per cent in April 2014. However, exports of readymade garments dipped by 6.76 per cent. Exports of towels dipped by 12.92 per cent, cotton yarn 30.03 per cent, cotton cloth 7.35 per cent and tents 23.84 per cent during the month. Raw cotton export witnessed a robust growth of 23.28 per cent. Total export proceeds increased by 4.24 per cent in July-April 2014 from the corresponding period last year.

Only six textile products witnessed positive growth among all the textile and clothing categories. The growth of textile and clothing stagnated at around 7 per cent in the last few months because of capacity issues, especially in Punjab, which is facing shortage of electricity and gas.